SOUTHERN ASIA DIVISION OF
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,PEE !STEREO OFFICE: a,•/. VALI-IA.414EL EOPO. VEP qr. EIPOPES-7,
ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO
POST BOX. 15. POONA I. IND
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—
AEIVENTIST
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TELEPHONE: 23055
R. S. LOWRY. PRESIDENT
C. 8. GUILD ECRETART
B. H. STICKLE. TREASU1
Dear Fellow Sabbath School Member:
Thank you for the thirteenth Sabbath offering overflow to Southern Asia
in third quarter, 1972. This provided expansion for facilities at the
Burma Union Seminary, a new dormitory for boys at the Kottarakara High
School in South India, and improvement of administration buildings and
dormitories at the Roorkee School in North India.
At the present our needs are sky-rocketing while the value of our money
is dropping; therefore we appeal for your support again.
Two-thirds of the overflow will go to Spicer Memorial College. In 1942,
Spicer Memorial College was designed for 200 students. Today over 1,000
students are on campus. Under God's providence the College has been able
to adhere to Adventist educational philosophy and its graduates have
been accepted into universities in various parts of the world. Circum-
stances now indicate, however, that we should obtain official government
recognition. Providentially, the way is opening for us to obtain this
favor. This calls for: (1) expansion of library facilities, (2) a new
science complex, and (3) demonstration schools for both secondary and
primary divisions.
The other one-third of the offering will be applied toward the purchase
of land on which to build churches for our rapidly growing constituency.
Ten years ago, in the Kerala section, there was a membership of just over
4,000. Today it exceeds 12,000--a growth of over 3007,. Southern Asia
has today three such sections with membership in excess of ten thousand.
Church buildings continue to be our urgent need in many places.
May we urge you to give liberally while you can, and your money still re-
tains value. And, thank you, again.
404
1
%,
/ I
,
tem/
R. S. Lowry
President
Southern Asia Division
incerely yours,
Lesson Titles for the Quarter
1.
Jesus Reflected Him
2.
He Cares About People
3.
He Readily Forgives
4.
He Hates Sin
5.
He Hears People's Pleas
6.
He Is Concerned for Individuals
7.
He Gives Grace
8.
He Requires Obedience
9.
He Sustained Jesus in Trouble
10.
He Heals People
11.
He Is Self-denying
12.
He Gives Life
13.
He Desires People's Freedom
Copyright 1974 by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Cover photo by Concerned Communications
Adult Sabbath School Lessons (regular edition), No. 319, January-March,
1975. Single copy, 35 cents; four issues (1 year), $1.40; no additional charge
to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A., by Pacific Press
Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain
View, California 94042. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain
View, California. Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is desired,
please be sure to send both old and new addresses.
The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in
Braille and 16
1
/
2
rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons
who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot
hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record
Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.
THE COVER
The nail-wounded hand is a readily recognized symbol of Jesus,
emphasizing especially His self-sacrificing love. The heavenward
pointing finger represents the purpose of Christ's whole earthly
life to tell the world what God is really like.
1—AQT-1-75
WHAT IS "DAYBREAK"?
A new series of Adult Sabbath School Lessons entitled "DaybVeak" begins
with this issue. The series grows out of the three angels' messages of Revela-
tion 14. The lessons for each quarter will be on a subject which is included in
the three angels' messages, but they will not be a study of the passage in
Revelation which records the three messages. Ellen G. White has stated
regarding these messages:
"The theme of greatest importance is the third angel's message embracing
the messages of the first and second angels. All should under'Stand the truths
contained in these messages and demonstrate them in the daily life, for this is
essential to salvation. We shall have to study earnestly, prayerfully, in order to
understand these grand truths; and our power to learn and comprehend will
be taxed to the
utmost."—Evangelism,
page 196.
But why have a
series
of lessons? There are two main reasons. First, to
assure balance in the lessons over an extended period of time so that a given
topic is studied neither too few nor too many times. Second, to provide a
connection between one quarter's lessons and the next. Thus the lessons for
each quarter will be related to those of the preceding quarter
and
to those of
the following quarter. This sequence of subjects will provide, as the series ad-
vances, a constantly growing base on which each member may build his study
in any current quarter.
While the "Daybreak Series" has been planned with balance and sequence,
provision has also been made for flexibility. Thus, if circumstances make it
desirable, the sequence of the lessons could be changed or a new subject
introduced, but prepared in such a way as to be compatible with the overall
plan.
The plan for the series is based on six areas of study:
1.
Revelation of God
4. Worship of the Creator
2.
God and man
5. Worldwide mission
3.
The Christian life
6. Last-day prophecy
Each of these areas will be infused with the gospel. These six areas will
not be entirely discrete, as some overlapping between subjects is nearly
unavoidable. These areas may be regarded as six peaks or high points of the,
message. Thus the other five areas may be viewed from any one of the six.
This present subject—"God Is Like This—"—comes under the heading of
area 1, Revelation of God. Next quarter the lessons will come under the head-
ing of God and man, and so on consecutively for six quarters. Every seventh
quarter during the series the lessons will return to area 1 and thus begin another
round of study in the same areas as the previous six quarters, but on new
themes.
The name, "Daybreak," points to the second advent of Jesus. The goal of
these lessons is to encourage and aid Sabbath School members to prepare to
Meet Jesus, and hasten His appearing. "Daybreak" will help to remind us of
this goal as we study each lesson.
May we suggest that at the beginning of the "Daybreak Series" is a good
time for a renewal of your daily study pledge.
GOD 15 LIKE THIS—
INTRODUCTION
It may seem to people that God is distant and unknowable. They
don't see Him, and they don't think they have personally heard from
Him. The Adventist person's whole religious life stems from his
belief that, while God can't be seen, He is near and has been heard
from. He believes that since the Fall, God has communicated with
people through nature, prophets, and special providences. These
avenues conveyed to people a knowledge of God, but always one
step removed from actually seeing God. One could see His products
in nature, or His mighty acts in emergency situations, or hear His
words proclaimed by a prophet, or see symbols that represented
His acts of salvation for His earthly children. What more could man
hope for? He could hope to see God Himself. Nature, tarnished by
sin, gave only a partial testimony about God; words, plagued by
ambiguity, gave an equivocal testimony; and symbols, subject to
misinterpretation and perversion of purpose soon lost their meaning.
But why is it important to hear from God? For the same reason
that it is important to find directions for use enclosed with a product
you purchase.
The manufacturer of the product, especially if the product is
complex, provides directions for use. These directions are necessary
in order to prevent injury to the user or damage to the product
and to assure that the buyer has the right product to fit his need.
This world, its people, and other life forms are God's products. How
shall people, at once products and users, know how to use what
God has made, especially themselves—especially when someone
else has distributed directions for use destructive to the user and
libelous to the Maker? So we need• to hear from the Maker. We
need to know that He is to be trusted in the directions He gives.
Even more importantly we need to know the nature of His char-
acter because the directions for human character grow out of the
divine character; and as one by knowing God learns to trust God,
his confidence in Him prompts consent to God's character as the
base of his own life-style. So God Himself came to earth as Jesus
of Nazareth in order that people could become acquainted with
the unseen Father through the visible Jesus. Ellen G. White wrote:
"In every circumstance, however trivial, he [Jesus] represented the
Father."—Review
and Herald,
April 14, 1896.
The entire life of Jesus—His teachings, miracles, incidents, and
personal experiences—is a reflection to the world that "God is like
this."
5
"As a personal being, God has revealed Himself in
His Son. . .
"Christ, the Light of the world, veiled the dazzling
splendor of His divinity and came to live as a man among
men, that they might, without being consumed, become
acquainted with their Creator. . . .
"Christ came to teach human beings what God desires
them to know. . . .
"He [God] sent His Son into the world to manifest, so
far as could be endured by human sight, the nature and
the attributes of the invisible God."
—The Ministry of Healing,
pages
418, 419.
"No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the
Father, he has made him known." John 1:18, RSV.
God revealed Himself to men in Old Testament times. Reference is made
to this revelation in Hebrews 1:1. He revealed Himself first of all to Adam and
then to a succession of prophets who spoke and later wrote God's messages. He
came down on Mount Sinai in majesty in the presence of the congregation of
Israel.
The tabernacle was established to reveal in some detail how God related
Himself to man. But all of these revelations had one weakness. They did not
show in human experience what God is like. Words and other symbols could
reveal many things about God, but only a living person could communicate the
6
LESSON 1
December 29-January 4
GOD IS LIKE THIS- I
esus
Reflected
Him
experience of shaping life in a sinful world according to the character of God.
Ellen G. White wrote.
"No verbal description could reveal God to the world. Through a life of
purity, a life of perfect trust and submission to the will of God, a life of humilia-
tion such as even the highest seraph in heaven would have shrunk from, God
Himself must be revealed to humanity. In order to do this, our Saviour clothed
His divinity with humanity. He employed the human faculties, for only by adopt-
ing these could He be comprehended by humanity. Only humanity could reach
humanity. He lived out the character of God through the human body which
God had prepared for Him. He blessed the world by living out in human flesh
the life of God, thus showing that He had the power to unite humanity to
divinity."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7, p. 924.
"All that man needs to know or can know of God has been revealed in the
life and character of His Son....
"Taking humanity upon Him, Christ came to be one with humanity and at
the same time to reveal our heavenly Father to sinful human beings. He was in
all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh, even as we are. He
was hungry and thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by
sleep. He shared the lot of men, and yet He was the blameless Son of God. He
was a stranger and a sojourner on the earth—in the world, but not of the
world; tempted and tried as men and women today are tempted and tried, yet
living a life free from
sin."—Testimonies,
Vol. 8, p. 286.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Jesus Revealed the Father, John 14:9
2.
His Deeds Prompted by His Father, John 5:19
3.
His Words Prompted by His Father, John 12:49
4.
Jesus Did His Father's Will, John 6:38
5.
Jesus Relied on the Scriptures, Matt. 4:4, 7, 10
6.
The Meaning of Jesus' Life, John 14:10
7
Jesus Reflected Him
LESSON 1
❑
Sunday
December
29
Part 1
JESUS REVEALED
THE FATHER
"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with
you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then,
Shew us the Father?" John 14:9.
"Is
it possible, Christ said, that after
‘
walking with Me, hear-
ing My words, seeing the miracle of feeding the five thousand,
of healing the sick of the dread disease leprosy, of bringing
the dead to life, of raising Lazarus, who was a prey to death,
whose body had indeed seen corruption, you do not know Me?
Is it possible that you do not discern the Father in the works
that He does by Me? ...
"Christ emphatically impressed upon them the fact that
they could see the Father by faith alone. God cannot be seen
in external form by any human being. Christ alone can repre-
sent the Father to humanity. This representation the disciples
had been privileged to behold for over three years."—Ellen G.
White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, pp. 1141,
1142.
In the introduction to his gospel what relationship does
the apostle John show exists between God and Jesus? John
1:1-3, 14.
"What speech is to thought, so is Christ to the invisible
Father. . . . He made known in His words, His character, His
power and majesty, the nature and attributes of God. Divinity
flashed through humanity in softening, subduing light. He was
the embodiment of the law of God, which is the transcript of
His character."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Com-
mentary,
Vol. 5, p. 1131.
In what way does the Word becoming flesh correspond to
the Old Testament prophecy quoted by the evangelist Mat-
thew? Matt. 1:23; cf. Isa. 7:14.
How has the unseen God become known to men? John
1:18.
THINK IT THROUGH
Of what importance, if any, is Christ's incarnation to the
restoration of man to his pristine perfection?
"The Saviour was deeply anxious for His disciples to under-
stand for what purpose His divinity was united to humanity. He
came to the world to display the glory of God, that man might
be uplifted by its restoring power. God was manifested in
Him that He might be manifested in them. Jesus revealed no
qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have
through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which all
His followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to
God as He was."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 664.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 19-22.
8
Jesus Reflected Him
LESSON 1
❑
Monday
December 30
"Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily,
I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what
he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these
also doeth the Son likewise." John 5:19.
See also John 5:30.
"My authority, He [Jesus] said, for doing the work of which
you accuse Me, is that I am the Son of God, one with Him in
nature, in will, and in purpose. . . . The Son of God was sur-
rendered to the Father's will, and dependent upon His power.
So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans
for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day
the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon
God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will."
—The Desire of Ages,
page 208.
What was to be the attitude of Jesus toward His Father's
will as foreseen prophetically by the psalmist? Ps. 40:8. How
does the prophet Isaiah express the same idea in a servant
song? Isa. 50:4, 5.
The Living Bible
paraphrases part of Isaiah 50:4, 5 this
way: "Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my un-
derstanding to his will. The Lord God has spoken to me and I
have listened; I do not rebel nor turn away."
THINK IT THROUGH
What is my attitude toward God's expressed will in His
Word and the promptings of His Holy Spirit to me personally?
"God's way is always the right and the prudent way. He
always brings honor to His name. Man's only security against
rash, ambitious movements is to keep the heart in harmony
with Christ Jesus. Man's wisdom is untrustworthy. Man is
fickle, filled with self-esteem, pride, and selfishness. Let the
workers doing God's service trust wholly in the Lord."—Testi-
monies,
Vol. 8, p. 106.
"The strength of those who love and serve Him will be re-
newed day by day. His understanding will be placed at their
service, that they may not err in the carrying out of His pur-
poses."—Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 11.
"We are to exercise wisdom and judgment in every action
of life, that we may not, by reckless movements, place our-
selves in trial. We are not to plunge into difficulties, neglecting
the means God has provided, and misusing the faculties He
has given us. Christ's workers are to obey His instructions
implicitly. The work is God's, and if we would bless others
His plans must be followed. Self cannot be made a center;
self can receive no honor. If we plan according to our own
ideas, the Lord will leave us to our own mistakes. But when,
after following His directions, we are brought into strait places,
He will deliver us."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 369.
FURTHER STUDY
The Ministry of Healing,
pages 478, 479.
9
Part 2
HIS DEEDS
PROMPTED BY
HIS FATHER
Jesus Reflected Him
LESSON 1
❑
Tuesday
December 31
Part 3
HIS WORDS
PROMPTED BY
HIS FATHER
What was the source of Jesus' words?
"For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which
sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say,
and what I should speak." John 12:49.
See also John 3:34; 8:26, 28.
Today's English Version
translates John 12:49: "The Father
who sent me has commanded me what I must say and speak."
From John 3:34 it is clear that it was through the Holy Spirit
that Jesus was given the appropriate words to speak on each
particular occasion. God is likewise eager to guide you and
me in our activities, and even in our speech.
"We are to be laborers together with the heavenly angels
in presenting Jesus to the world. With almost impatient eager-
ness the angels wait for our co-operation; for man must be the
channel to communicate with man. And when we give ourselves
to Christ in wholehearted devotion, angels rejoice that they
may speak through our voices to reveal God's love."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 297.
Note how Jesus, through this guidance, was able to speak
apt words in difficult situations. Matt. 21:23-27; 22:15-22;
John 8:1-11; cf. Isa. 50:4.
THINK IT THROUGH
How do you know that God was not partial to Jesus in
guiding Him more minutely than He is willing to guide you
and me?
"When you rise in the morning, do you feel your helplessness
and your need of strength from God? and do you humbly,
heartily make known your wants to your heavenly Father? If
so, angels mark your prayers, and if these prayers have not
gone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of un-
consciously doing wrong and exerting an influence which will
lead others to do wrong, your guardian angel will be by your
side, prompting you to a better course, choosing your words
for you, and influencing your actions."—Testimonies, Vol. 3,
pp. 363, 364.
FURTHER STUDY
The Sanctified tile,
pages 14-17.
10
Jesus Reflected Him
LESSON 1
❑
Wednesday
Januaryl
Part 4
"For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will,
JESUS DID HIS
but the will of him that sent me." John 6:38.
FATHER'S WILL
See also John 4:34; 8:29.
Today's English Version
renders John 4:34: "'My food,'
Jesus said to them, 'is to obey the will of him who sent me
and finish the work he gave me to do.' "
"Jesus' complete submission to His Father is an assurance
to the believer that all that Jesus does for him has its source
in the loving heart of God. Christ's words here clearly dem-
onstrate the falsity of the opinion that God is angry with man
and that salvation for sinners has its basis in Christ's having
appeased the Father's wrath. Rather, Jesus' life of ministry
and sacrificial death for man were expressions of His Father's
love."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on John 6:38.
From whom did the Jewish contemporaries of Jesus seek
honor and approval, and to whom was Jesus on the other
hand supremely loyal? John 5:41-44.
Phillips translates John 5:41 in this way: "Men's approval
or disapproval means nothing to me, but I can tell you that you
have none of the love of God in your hearts."
"The ultimate success of Jesus' work did not depend upon
whether the Jewish leaders of His day recognized Him as the
Messiah. The purposes of His message and His ministry tran-
scended any approbation that human beings could give. His
ultimate aim was the conquest of the kingdom of evil for the
glory of God."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on John 5:41.
What words had the psalmist prophetically put in the
mouth of Jesus, expressing the source of His joy and pleasure?
Ps. 40:8.
"The one law of His [Jesus'] life was the Father's will. In the
visit to
the
temple in His boyhood, He had said to Mary, 'Wist
ye not that I must be about My Father's business?' Luke 2:49."
—The Desire of Ages,
page 486.
THINK IT THROUGH
How may I be honored by God? John 12:26.
"If you would, as a church, secure the rich blessing of
God, you must individually make Him first and last and best
in every thought, plan, and work. Obedience to God is the
first duty of the Christian. A humble mind and a grateful
heart will elevate us above petty trials and real difficulties.
The less earnest, energetic, and vigilant we are in the service
of the Master, the more will the mind dwell upon self, magnify-
ing molehills into mountains of difficulty. We shall feel that
we are abused, when no disrespect even was designed."—
Testimonies,
Vol. 4, pp. 610, 611.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
Vol. 3, p. 107.
11
Jesus Reflected
Him
LESSON 1
❑
Thursday
January 2
Part 5
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not
JESUS RELIED ON
THE SCRIPTURES
of the mouth of God." Matt. 4:4.
live 'by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out
See also verses 7, 10.
As a man, Jesus did not follow His own notions or conve-
nience as to what to do when faced with a choice; He accepted
the Scriptures as His guide. The Scriptures of His day were
the Old Testament. That He knew its teachings is evident from
the answers He gave Satan in response to his temptations. All
His replies were from the book of Deuteronomy; namely, 8:3;
6:16; 6:13.
What admission did the Jews make about Jesus? John
7:15.
"The question asked during the Saviour's ministry, 'How
knoweth this man letters, having never learned?' does not indi-
cate that Jesus was unable to read, but merely that He had
not received a rabbinical education. John 7:15. Since He
gained knowledge as we may do, His intimate acquaintance
with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were
given to the study of God's word."The
Desire of Ages,
page
70.
In encountering the tempter, Jesus appraised his statements
solely by the Written Word rather than by his appearance. "In
the wilderness of temptation Satan came to Christ as an angel
from the courts of God. It was by his words, not by his ap-
pearance, that the Saviour recognized the enemy."—Ellen G.
White,
Review and Herald,
July 22, 1909.
How do the three basic temptations listed by the apostle
John compare with the temptations Jesus faced? 1 John 2:16.
THINK IT THROUGH
By what means do you and I evaluate the ideas and plans
presened to us?
"Satan comes to man with his temptations as an angel of
light, as he came to Christ. . . .
"Those who would have clear minds to discern Satan's de-
vices must have their physical appetites under the control of
reason and conscience. The moral and vigorous action of the
higher powers of the mind are essential to the perfection of
Christian character. And the strength or the weakness of the
mind has very much to do with our usefulness in this world,
and with our final salvation."—Messages
to Young People,
pages 236, 237.
"God's holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new
and precious light, shines forth from every page... .
"There will grow in the fruitful mind a familiarity with divine
things that will be as a barricade against temptation."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 132.
FURTHER STUDY
Selected Messages,
Bk. 1, pp. 274-280.
12
Jesus Reflected Him
LESSON 1
❑
Friday
January 3
Part 6
THE MEANING OF
JESUS' LIFE
THINK IT THROUGH
"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father
in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:
but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."
John 14:10.
Jesus repeatedly pointed to the Father as the source of His
life-style. The acts He did, and the words He spoke, He attri-
buted to His heavenly Father. In this way the Father became
understandable to those who saw and heard Jesus.
"The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. . . .
To know God is to love Him; His character must be mani-
fested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one
Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the
height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon
the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise,
'with healing in His wings.' Mal. 4:2."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 22.
When Jesus perfomed a miracle of healing, that act had
meaning. It showed not only that He possessed this mighty
power, but that the deed He did was the deed of the Father.
When Jesus spoke His lessons of truth, He was really saying
that His lessons were the lessons of the Father. His whole
life was the statement that "God is like this."
"Christ's favorite theme was the paternal character and
abundant love of God. This knowledge of God was Christ's own
gift to men, and this gift He has committed to His people to
be communicated by them to the
world."—Testimonies,
Vol.
6, p. 55.
"It is only by knowing Christ that we can know God."—Ellen
G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, pp. 1145,
1146.
"The world's Redeemer was equal with God. His authority
was as the authority of God. He declared that He had no ex-
istence separate from the Father. The authority by which He
spoke, and wrought miracles, was expressly His own, yet He
assures us that He and the Father are one... .
"As Legislator, Jesus exercised the authority of God; His
commands and decisions were supported by the Sovereignty
of the eternal throne. The glory of the Father was revealed in
the Son; Christ made manifest the character of the Father. He
was so perfectly connected with God, so completely embraced
in His encircling light, that He who had seen the Son, had seen
the Father. His voice was as the voice of God."—Ellen G.
White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, p. 1142.
What is my responsibility in regard to God and His loving
character?
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 23-26.
13
LESSON 2
January 5-11
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Cares
About People
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 19:10.
In this lesson man, lost in sin, is presented under the symbols of a lost coin,
a lost sheep, and a wayward son. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, went in search
of the lost. For this mission the Father gave the Son. The Son's search speaks
to us of the love of both Son and Father. As a shepherd rejoices in the recovery
of his lost sheep, so God joys in the rescue of His creatures.
For a misdemeanor a farmer told his son that he had to spend the night in
the haymow and not in his comfortable bed in the house. The little son was
frightened at the prospect of spending the night alone in the hay barn. ,But the
sentence was irrevocable.
As the son was about to retire for the night, he bravely went out to his sleep-
ing place in the hay while the rest of the family prepared to retire in the house.
Then the father also went out; he found his son in the hay and spent the night
with him. Although the sentence was unchanged, the son knew his father loved
him. So it was with God. Although the sentence for sin could not be revoked,
man learned that God loved him supremely because God Himself as Emmanuel
came in search of him by coming to live with him.
"As soon as Adam sinned, the Son of God presented Himself as surety for
the human race."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 1,
p. 1084.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Lost Coin, Luke 15:8
2.
The Lost Sheep, Luke 15:3, 4
3.
The Good Shepherd, John 10:14, 15, 17
4.
The Lost Son, Luke 15:11-13
5.
Other Sheep, John 10:16
6.
Father Gave Son to Die
for
Man, John 3:16
He Cares About People
LESSON 2
❑
Sunday
January 5
Part 1
THE LOST COIN
"Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she
lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house,
and seek diligently till she find it?" Luke 15:8.
The lost coin was not aware of its lost condition. As the
coin was stamped with the image or superscription of the
king, so man, though lost, is stamped with the image of his
King. See Genesis 1:27. The coin, though lost, did not cease
to be metal. So it is with man. "The lost coin represents those
who are lost in trespasses and sins, but who have no sense
of their condition. They are estranged from God, but they know
it not. Their souls are in peril, but they are unconscious and
unconcerned. In this parable Christ teaches that even those
who are indifferent to the claims of God are the objects of His
pitying love. They are to be sought for that they may be
brought back to
God."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 193,
194.
What did the woman do when she found the lost coin?
Luke 15:9.
How does God react when a sinner repents and turns to
Him from his sinful way? Luke 15:7.
Ellen G. White suggests that the lost coin represents a
member of the Christian family who has not found Jesus as
his personal Saviour. "It was close at hand, yet it could be
recovered only by diligent
search."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 194.
THINK IT THROUGH
Is there a member in my family who is lost to Christ? If so,
what am I doing to bring him to Jesus?
"This parable has a lesson to families. In the household
there is often great carelessness concerning the souls of its
members. Among their number may be one who is estranged
from God; but how little anxiety is felt lest in the family rela-
tionship there be lost one of God's entrusted
gifts."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 194.
"When you see those who are going down to death, you
will not rest in quiet indifference and ease. The greater their
sin and the deeper their misery, the more earnest and tender
will be your efforts for their recovery."—Christ's
Object Les-
sons,
page 197.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"This Man Receiveth Sinners,"
pages 192-197.
16
He Cares About
People
LESSON 2
❑
Monday
January 6
Part 2
"And he spoke this parable unto them, saying, What man
THE LOST SHEEP
of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them,
doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go
after that which is lost, until he find it?" Luke 15:3, 4.
"By the lost sheep Christ represents not only the individual
sinner but the one world that has apostatized and has been
ruined by sin. This world is but an atom in the vast dominions
over which God presides, yet this little fallen world—the one
lost sheep—is more precious in His sight than are the ninety
and nine that went not astray from the fold. Christ, the loved
Commander in the heavenly courts, stooped from His high
estate, laid aside the glory that He had with the Father, in
order to save the one lost world. For this He left the sinless
worlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him, and came
to this earth, to be 'wounded for our transgressions' and
'bruised for our iniquities.' (Isa. 53:5.) God gave Himself in His
Son that He might have the joy of receiving back the sheep
that was
lost."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 190, 191.
When the shepherd finds his sheep, what is his reaction?
Luke 15:5-7.
"As the shepherd loves his sheep, and cannot rest if even
one be missing, so, in an infinitely higher degree, does God
love every outcast soul. Men may deny the claim of His love,
they may wander from Him, they may choose another master;
yet they are God's, and He longs to recover His own. He says,
'As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is
among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My
sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they
have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.' Eze. 34:12."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 187.
THINK IT THROUGH
Christ willingly left all to seek His lost sheep. Do I appre-
ciate His salvation so much that I am willing to follow His
example and go anywhere to seek those who are lost to
Christ?
"Thank God, He has presented to our imagination no picture
of a sorrowful shepherd returning without the sheep. The
parable does not speak of failure but of success and joy in
the recovery. Here is the divine guarantee that not even one
of the straying sheep of God's fold is overlooked, not one is
left unsuccored. Every one that will submit to be ransomed,
Christ will rescue from the pit of corruption and from the
briers of
sin."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 188.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"This Man Receiveth Sinners,"
pages 186-192.
17
He Cares About
People
LESSON 2
❑
Tuesday
January 7
Part 3
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am
THE GOOD
known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I
SHEPHERD
the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down
my life, that I might take it again." John 10:14, 15, 17.
In the Scriptures Christ is termed the "great shepherd" (Heb.
13:20) and the "chief Shepherd." 1 Peter 5:4. He calls Himself
the "good shepherd." John 10:11. "The Bible reveals Christ
to us as the Good Shepherd, seeking with unwearied feet for
the lost
sheep."—Counsels to Teachers,
page 261.
Through the symbolism of the shepherd, Jesus is presented
as tender and careful, as watchful and solicitous (Luke 15:4, 5),
as sacrificial and unselfish (John 10:14, 15), as prepared
to help (Ps. 80:1), and as seeking the straying. Ps. 119:176.
Who is the door to the sheepfold? John 10:9; cf. 14:6.
There is no other way to reconciliation or "at-one-ment"
with the Father than through Jesus. Knowledge will not do it;
philosophy cannot accomplish it. Innate human goodness will
not suffice. "In all ages, philosophers and teachers have been
presenting to the world theories by which to satisfy the soul's
need. Every heathen nation has had its great teachers and
religious systems offering some other means of redemption
than Christ."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 478. But all this has
been in vain. There is but one way to the Father, and that way
is Jesus. "I am the way," says Jesus. John 14:6.
THINK IT THROUGH
With such a Shepherd who was willing to give His own
life to find me, to what extent am I willing to follow Him
and His direction for me? Do I frequently insist on finding
and going my own way?
"It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can uplift
the soul. The contemplation of the love of God manifested in
His Son will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul
as nothing else can. Christ came that He might re-create the
image of God in man; and whoever turns men away from Christ
is turning them away from the source of true development; he
is defrauding them of the hope and purpose and glory of life.
He is a thief and a robber."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 478.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 480-484.
18
He Cares About People
LESSON 2
❑
Wednesday
January 8
"And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the
younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the por-
tion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them
his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered
all together, and took his journey into a far country, and
there wasted his substance with riotous living." Luke 15:11-13.
Why did not the father go in search of the son, as the
owner of the lost coin and the lost sheep had done? Unlike the
lost coin, which did not know it was lost, and the lost sheep,
which knew it was lost but did not know the way back, the
prodigal both knew he was lost and also knew the way back
to his father's house. He knew what he wanted and went in
pursuit of it. Hence, the father did not go in search of him,
pleading with him to return. A person who willfully practices
what he knows is wrong may become more hardened through
pleas to him to change. But the Holy Spirit can soften such a
heart and prevail on such a person to return to the Father.
What did the father do for his son upon his return? Luke
15:22-24.
"When he came to himself:
An idiom in Semitic languages
as well as in Greek and Latin. In this instance it could be
paraphrased: 'When
he
realized how foolish he had been.'
"—
The Interpreter's Bible,
Vol. 8, p. 273.
"The love of God still yearns over the one who has chosen
to separate from Him, and He sets in operation influences to
bring him back to the Father's house. . . . Miserable as he
was, the prodigal found hope in the conviction of his father's
love. It was that love which was drawing him toward home.
So it is the assurance of God's love that constrains the sinner
to return to God. 'The goodness of God leadeth thee to repent-
ance.' Rom. 2:4. A golden chain, the mercy and compassion
of divine love, is passed around every imperiled soul."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 202.
THINK IT THROUGH
Who only can bring conviction and change to a person
who willfully pursues a course of wrongdoing and sin?
"Whatever the appearance may be, every life centered in
self is squandered. Whoever attempts to live apart from God
is wasting his substance. He is squandering the precious years,
squandering the powers of mind and heart and soul, and work-
ing to make himself bankrupt for eternity. The man who sep-
arates from God that he may serve himself, is the slave of
mammon. The mind that God created for the companionship
of angels has become degraded to the service of that which
is earthly and bestial. This is the end to which self-serving
tends."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 200, 201.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Lost and Is Found," pages 201-
203.
19
2-AQT-1-75
Part 4
THE LOST SON
He Cares About People
LESSON 2
❑
Thursday
January
9
Part 5
OTHER SHEEP
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there
shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John 10:16.
When Jesus spoke these words, the "other sheep" referred
to the Gentiles. After His death and resurrection the gospel
went to the Gentiles, and God's church today is made up largely
of non-Jews. But, despite this, the verse is true today. Not all
persons who today serve God with pure motives and to the
best of their knowledge have found God's truth and His rem-
nant church. Wrote Ellen G. White: "Notwithstanding the spir-
itual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the
churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ's
true followers are still to be found in their communion."—The
Great Controversy,
page 390.
God measures the commitment of His people qualitatively
rather than quantitatively. He evaluates the diligence with which
we have improved our opportunities to find His truth, and He
observes our attitude toward the known portion of His will. Do
His professed followers gladly respond to revealed truth, or
do they rebel against it?
"If rational beings really desire the truth, God will give
them sufficient light to enable them to decide what is truth.
If they have a heart to obey, they will see sufficient evidence
to walk in the light. But if they in heart desire to evade the
truth, he will not work a miracle to gratify their unbelief. He
will never remove every chance or occasion to doubt."—Ellen
G. White,
Review and Herald,
Jan. 5, 1886.
Is it possible for the evil one to separate God's committed
followers from Him? John 10:28, 29; cf. Rom. 8:35-39.
"The soul that has given himself to Christ is more precious
in His sight than the whole world. The Saviour would have
passed through the agony of Calvary that one might be saved
in His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He has
died. Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will hold
them fast."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 483.
THINK IT THROUGH
What will happen to all these other sheep before Jesus
returns in glory to receive His own?
"Not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth
has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has
been rejected. . . . Everyone is to have sufficient light to make
his decision intelligently."—The
Great Controversy,
page 605.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pages 383, 390.
20
He Cares About
People
LESSON 2
❑
Friday
January 10
Part 6
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begot-
FATHER GAVE SON
ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
TO DIE FOR MAN
but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
Some are prone to think that God loves us because Jesus
gave His life for us. But God does not love us because Jesus
gave His life for us; rather the Father's love for lost man con-
strained Him to give His Son to die for us in order to redeem
us. "As soon as there was sin, there was a Saviour."—Ellen
G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 1, p. 1084.
To rescue man from the predicament into which he had
fallen through disobedience, God was willing to empty the
storehouse of heaven and deplete the resources of the uni-
verse. Anything that was needed God was willing to do to
reinstate man, whom He had created• in love, in his intended
position as ruler of the earth and a son of God.
If but one soul would have accepted salvation, God was
still willing to make this overture of love to fallen man.
What is the response in heaven when a sinner returns?
Luke 15:7, 10.
Zephaniah 3:17 gives an intimate picture of God's satisfac-
tion and rejoicing when a sinner is saved. God is portrayed
as singing in satisfied love. Picture a young husband in com-
plete and happy contentment, singing or humming for sheer
joy as he looks at his wife rocking their baby.
THINK IT THROUGH
How highly do I value a soul, or how much am I willing
to do to rescue a soul from sin and eternal death?
"The value of a soul, who can estimate? Would you know
its worth, go to Gethsemane, and there watch with Christ
through those hours of anguish, when He sweat as it were
great drops of blood. Look upon the Saviour uplifted on the
cross. Hear that despairing cry, 'My God, My God, why hast
Thou forsaken Me?' Mark 15:34. Look upon the wounded head,
the pierced side, the marred feet. Remember that Christ risked
all. For our redemption, heaven itself was imperiled. At the
foot of the cross, remembering that for one sinner Christ would
have laid down His life, you may estimate the value of a soul."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 196.
FURTHER STUDY
The Story of Redemption,
pages 42-44.
21
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Readily
Forgives
LESSON 3
January 12-18
"Though your sins be as scarlet, they
shall be as white as snow; though they
be red like crimson, they shall be as
wool." Isa. 1:18.
God's gracious promise of forgive-
ness through the prophet Isaiah presents
God's plan for sinful man. Adam and
Eve departed from God's will. Their de-
scendants followed them in transgres-
sion. 'With intense interest the unfallen
worlds had watched to see Jehovah
arise, and sweep away the inhabitants
of the earth. And if God should do this,
Satan was ready to carry out his plan
for securing to himself the allegiance
of heavenly beings. He had declared
,
that the principles of God's government
make forgiveness impossible. Had the
world been destroyed, he would have
claimed that his accusations were
proved true. . . . But instead of destroy-
ing the world, God sent His Son to save
it."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 37.
Jesus' sacrifice provides forgiveness
for individual repentant sinners. His
teachings emphasize forgiveness, and
His own personal attitude toward those
who wronged Him was a forgiving one.
Thus He taught and demonstrated that
the Father forgives people when they
repent.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Paralytic, Luke 5:18-20
2.
The Roman Soldiers at the Cross,
Luke 23:33, 34
3.
The Thief on the Cross, Luke
23:39-43
4.
Mary Magdalene, Luke 7:36-50
5.
The Prodigal, Luke 15:21, 22
6.
Forgive Seventy Times Seven,
Matt. 18:21, 22
23
THREE LIONS. INC.
He Readily Forgives
LESSON 3
❑
Sunday
January 12
Part 1
THE PARALYTIC
"And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was
taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in,
and to lay him before him. And when they could not find
by what way they might bring him in because of the multi-
tude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through
the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And
when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins
are forgiven thee." Luke 5:1
.
8-20.
Jesus desired to forgive sins; "it was to manifest His power
to forgive sins that the miracle was performed. . . .
"This paralytic had lost all hope of recovery. His disease
was the result of a life of sin, and his sufferings were embit-
tered by remorse....
"The palsied man was entirely helpless, and, seeing no
prospect of aid from any quarter, he had sunk into despair.
Then he heard of the wonderful works of Jesus. He was told
that others as sinful and helpless as he had been healed; even
lepers had been cleansed. And the friends who reported these
things encouraged him to believe that he too might be cured
if he could be carried to Jesus. But his hope fell when he
remembered how the disease had been brought upon him. He
feared that the pure Physician would not tolerate him in His
presence."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 267.
What did the paralytic and his friends possess that enabled
Jesus to heal him? Mark 2:5; cf. Matt. 13:58; Mark 6:5, 6.
THINK IT THROUGH
What do I most ardently desire—physical benefits or spir-
itual healing?
"In words that fell like music on the sufferer's ear, the
Saviour said, 'Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven
thee.'
"The burden of despair rolls from the sick man's soul; the
peace of forgiveness rests upon his spirit, and shines out upon
his countenance. His physical pain is gone, and his whole
being is transformed. The helpless paralytic is healed! the
guilty sinner is pardoned!
"In simple faith he accepted the words of Jesus as the
boon of new life. He urged no further request, but lay in bliss-
ful silence, too happy for words. The light of heaven irradiated
his countenance, and the people looked with awe upon the
scene."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 268.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 267-269.
24
He Readily Forgives
LESSON 3
❑
Monday
January 13
"And when they were come to the place, which is called
Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one
on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus,
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke
23:33, 34.
Even in His excruciating suffering with nails piercing His
tender flesh Jesus' thoughts were not centered on self. His
mind went out in solicitude for others. Contrary to all human
inclinations, He asked His Father for mercy upon His execu-
tioners.
"His mind passed from His own suffering to the sin of His
persecutors, and the terrible retribution that would be theirs.
No curses were called down upon the soldiers who were han-
dling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the
priests and rulers, who were gloating over the accomplish-
ment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignorance
and guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness,—'for
they know not what they do.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 744.
According to what standard does God hold men respon-
sible or apportion accountability for light? Luke 12:47, 48.
"Had they known that they were putting to torture One who
had come to save the sinful race from eternal ruin, they would
have been seized with remorse and horror. But their ignorance
did not remove their guilt; for it was their privilege to know
and accept Jesus as their Saviour. Some of them would yet
see their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some by their
impenitence would make it an impossibility for the prayer of
Christ to be answered for them."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages
744, 745.
"God will not condemn any at the judgment because they
honestly believed a lie, or conscientiously cherished error; bUt
it will be because they neglected the opportunities of making
themselves acquainted with truth."—Testimonies
to Ministers,
page 437.
THINK IT THROUGH
Have you ever cherished a fleeting desire not to learn
any more truth lest you be held responsible for added knowl-
edge? What should be my attitude toward learning truth?
"That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world.
It took in every sinner that had lived or should live, from the
beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the
guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely
offered. 'Whosoever will' may have peace with God, and in-
herit eternal life."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 745.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 744, 745.
25
Part 2
THE ROMAN
SOLDIERS AT
THE CROSS
He Readily Forgives
LESSON 3
❑
Tuesday
January 14
Part 3
Read Luke 23:39-43.
THE THIEF ON
THE CROSS
Note the punctuation of Luke 23:43 in
The Desire of Ages,
page 750: "Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with
Me in paradise." Without a doubt this is the correct punctua-
tion of the verse.
The original Bible manuscripts contained no punctuation.
Punctuation was supplied later. Naturally, it was supplied in
accordance with a copyist's philosophy of life. Inasmuch as
the common belief was that the soul went to heaven immedi-
ately upon death, it was punctuated so as to give that meaning.
But from internal gospel evidence in John 20:17 we know that
Jesus did not go to paradise on Friday. He had not yet as-
cended to His Father when He appeared to Mary Sunday morn-
ing.
In the assuring answer of Jesus to the thief's request,
"Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in para-
dise," there is implicit and full forgiveness. In a moment the
thief's sinful past was blotted out. He was accounted righ-
teous or justified by God. As a babe just born into the kingdom
of God, he was perfect in God's sight. His attitude toward
God and His will had been changed from rebellion to willing
obedience.
"For long hours of agony, reviling and mockery have fallen
upon the ears of Jesus. As He hangs upon the cross, there
floats up to Him still the sound of jeers and curses. . . . While
the leading Jews deny Him, and even the disciples doubt His
divinity, the poor thief, upon the brink of eternity, calls Jesus
Lord. Many were ready to call Him Lord when He wrought
miracles, and after He had risen from the grave; but none
acknowledged Him as He hung dying upon the cross save
the penitent thief who was saved at the eleventh hour."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 750, 751.
Of what divine sentiment toward man is Jesus' answer
to the thief on the cross a reminder? John 6:37.
THINK IT THROUGH
How may I experience the full and free deliverance from
sin that the thief on the cross experienced?
"With amazement the angels beheld the infinite love of
Jesus, who, suffering the most intense agony of mind and
body, thought only of others, and encouraged the penitent soul
to believe. In His 'humiliation He as a prophet had addressed
the daughters of Jerusalem; as priest and advocate He had
pleaded with the Father to forgive His „murderers; as a loving
Saviour He had forgiven the sins of the penitent thief."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 752.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 750, 751.
26
He Readily Forgives
LESSON 3
❑
Wednesday
January 15
"And he [Jesus] turned to the woman, and said unto Simon,
Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou
gayest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my
feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head."
Luke 7:44.
Read also Luke 7:36-50.
The woman at Simon's feast was Mary of Bethany, the sister
of Lazarus and Martha. See
The Desire of Ages,
pages 558,
559.
Mary had been a fallen woman, and some still viewed her
in that way. Simon was ashamed and embarrassed to have
her appear at his feast. "Simon questioned whether the Sav-
iour were a prophet. Because Christ allowed this woman to
approach Him, because He did not indignantly spurn her as one
whose sins were too great to be forgiven, because He did not
show that He realized she had fallen, Simon was tempted to
think that He was not a prophet. Jesus knows nothing of this
woman who is so free in her demonstrations, he thought, or
He would not allow her to touch Him."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 566.
What did Jesus say about the woman's sins? Luke 7:47, 48.
All Mary's scarlet sins God had freely forgiven because
she had responded to the Spirit's pleadings to her heart.
"Mary knew not the full significance of her deed of love.
She could not answer her accusers. She could not explain
why she had chosen that occasion for anointing Jesus. The
Holy Spirit had planned for her, and she had obeyed His
promptings. Inspiration stoops to give no reason. An unseen
presence, it speaks to mind and soul, and moves the heart to
action. It is its own justification."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
560.
How frequently do I follow the Spirit's promptings and
do the good deeds He urges me to perform?
"When to human eyes her case appeared hopeless, Christ
saw in Mary capabilities for good. He saw the better traits of
her character. The plan of redemption has invested humanity
with great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities were
to be realized. Through His grace she became a partaker of
the divine nature. The one who had fallen, and whose mind
had been a habitation of demons, was brought very near to
the Saviour in fellowship and ministry. It was Mary who sat at
His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary who poured upon
His head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His feet with
her tears. Mary stood beside the cross, and followed Him to
the sepulcher. Mary was first at the tomb after His resurrec-
tion. It was Mary who first proclaimed a risen Saviour."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 568.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 566-568.
27
Part 4
MARY MAGDALENE
THINK IT THROUGH
He Readily Forgives
LESSON 3
111 Thursday
January 16
"And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be
called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring
forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his
hand, and shoes on his feet." Luke 15:21, 22.
The prodigal was repentant. He admitted his sins and his
unworthiness to be called a son of his father. On the basis
of this the father, representing God, forgave him fully and
freely. "Whom Christ pardons, He first makes penitent"—
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page 7. With this the
father kissed him tenderly and then gave back to him all the
tokens of reinstatement as a son. His rags were removed and
he was clothed in "the best robe." The ring was a symbol
that the son was still a son.
"Shoes
were the token of sonship,
for only slaves went barefoot."—The
Interpreter's Bible,
Vol.
8, pp. 276, 277.
Only by the father's gift was he clothed in the way char-
acteristic of his family. These gifts replaced the evidences of
the son's impoverishment.
To what was the prodigal's return compared by the father?
Luke 15:24; cf. John 5:24.
In the sight of God a man is really dead only when he is
lost, that is, dead to the love of God. The prodigal had been
dead to the father until he came to himself. He comes to life
when he responds anew to his father's love. So we as sinners
became alive when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. The
verse parallels the thought of verses 7 and 10 that there is joy
in heaven when a sinner once again becomes alive to the
will of God.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is my attitude toward those who have deliberately
strayed away from God but later returned? What should
it be?
"Your heavenly Father will take from you the garments
defiled by sin. In the beautiful parabolic prophecy of Zecha-
riah, the high priest Joshua, standing clothed in filthy garments
before the angel of the Lord, represents the sinner. And the
word is spoken by the Lord, 'Take away the filthy garments
from him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thine
iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change
of raiment. . . . So they set a fair miter upon his head, and
clothed him with garments.' Zech. 3:4, 5. Even so God will
clothe you with 'the garments of salvation,' and cover you
with 'the robe of righteousness.' Isa. 61:10. 'Though ye have
lien among the pots, yet, shall ye be as the wings of a dove
covered with silver, and her feathers
‘
with yellow gold.' Ps.
68:13."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 206.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Lost and Is Found," pages 204-206.
28
Part 5
THE PRODIGAL
He Readily Forgives
LESSON 3
❑
Friday
January 17
Part 6
FORGIVE SEVENTY
TIMES SEVEN
THINK IT THROUGH
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall
my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven
times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven
times: but, Until seventy times seven." Matt. 18:21, 22.
"The rabbis said that three pardons were enough. Peter
proposed magnanimity, and so suggested seven."—The
Inter-
preter's Bible,
Vol. 7, p. 475. Jesus here corrected Peter.
"Seventy times seven" is four hundred and ninety. By this
Jesus meant that there must be no limit to forgiveness. As
long as an offender comes back, God gladly and willingly
forgives and welcomes him back. God had demonstrated this
in His relation to Israel in the Old Testament. As a case in
point, the book of Judges points out repeated departures of
Israel from God, but every time they repented God gladly
forgave. See Judges 3:7-9, 12-15; 4:1-4; 6:1-8.
Jesus thus reiterated His Father's eagerness to forgive the
repentant sinner irrespective of his past. God is not primarily
concerned with the past. All the failures and the shortcomings
of the past are blotted out through Jesus' shed blood. But He
is intensely concerned with my present response—my "now-
reaction," or my attitude toward Him and His plan.
What will be the result of returning to the Lord? Isa. 55:7;
Hosea 1-3; 2 Sam. 12:13.
Gomer is a symbol of God's people, while Hosea represents
God. God found every one of us initially, as Hosea found
Gomer, in spiritual adultery or sin. Then as Gomer we also
have departed from God, although we espoused Him as our
spiritual husband. Still God waits for our change of heart, ready
to take us back, just as Hosea took Gomer back as his wife
and the mother of his children.
Am I always willing to forgive those who have wronged
me and also forget their wrongdoing? Why?
"The dictionary says that forgiveness means 'to give up
resentment or claim to requital.' But
is
this true pardon? To
forgive but not forget usually means not to forgive. Only to
forgo resentment is a poor half forgiveness. Luke 17:5 tells us
that when the disciples heard this requirement of Jesus . . .
they exclaimed, 'Increase our faithl"—The
Interpreter's Bible,
Vol. 7, p. 475. May God also increase our faith!
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and
Kings,
pages 334, 668.
29
LESSON 4
January
19-25
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Hates Sin
"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were
better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea." Matt. 18:5, 6.
Sin is disloyalty to God. When we sin, we give our allegiance to someone
else, or to self, rather than to God. It began in heaven. Lucifer, the light bearer
and anointed cherub at the throne of God, withdrew his loyalty from God. He
also led other angels to follow him and induced them to transfer their loyalty
from God to him and to regard him as supreme rather than God.
The principle of selfishness underlying all sin is contrary to the character
of God, and He has opposed it with all of His resources. Sin divided the uni-
verse. Rather than being a unit, or a universe, through sin it became basically
a dualism with two forces in opposition to each other. On one side were God
and those loyal to Him, and on the other side were Satan and his followers.
After the creation of Adam and Eve Satan transplanted sin to this earth.
Adam and Eve became sinners by obeying Satan rather than God. Jesus came
to this earth and demonstrated God's attitude toward sin. "The gift of Christ
reveals the Father's heart. It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are
'thoughts of peace, and not of evil.' Jer. 29:11. It declares that while God's
hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than
death. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear,
which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our
salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left
unemployed."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 57.
LESSON OUTLINE
1. Jesus Condemned Sin, Rom. 8:3
2.
Jesus Denounced Sin, Matt. 23:27, 28
3.
Sin Separates From God, Matt. 27:46
4.
Jesus Preferred Death to Sin, Matt. 4:2-4
5.
Jesus Came to Do Away With Sin, John 1:29
6.
Go, and Sin No More, John 8:11
30
CHARLES ZINGARO, ARTIST.
He Hates Sin
LESSON 4
❑
Sunday
January 19
Part 1
JESUS
CONDEMNED SIN
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through, the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness
of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."
Rom. 8:3.
One of the great accomplishments of the life and death of
Jesus was the refutation of the idea that sin is a valid and
inevitable way of life for human beings. The intensity of this
condemnation can be measured by the cross. Jesus considered
the condemnation of sin of greater import than His personal
existence.
"Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan
clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The arch-
apostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy
beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly
seen the nature of his rebellion."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
758.
"The cross of Calvary, while it declares the law immutable,
proclaims to the universe that the wages of sin is death. In
the Saviour's expiring cry, 'It is finished,' the death knell of
Satan was rung. The great controversy which had been so
long in progress was then decided, and the final eradication
of evil was made certain. The Son of God passed through the
portals of the tomb, that 'through death He might destroy him
that had the power of death, that is, the devil.' Hebrews 2:14....
"The whole universe will haye become witnesses to the
nature and results of sin. And its utter extermination, which
in the beginning would have brought fear to angels and dis-
honor to God, will now vindicate His love and establish His
honor before the universe of beings who delight to do His
will, and in whose heart is His law. Never will evil again be
manifest."—The
Great Controversy,
pages 503, 504.
THINK IT THROUGH
How does my estimate of sin compare with Christ's esti-
mate of it?
"The death of the spotless Son of God testifies that 'the
wages of sin is death,' that every violation of God's law must
receive its just retribution. Christ the sinless became sin for
man. He bore the guilt of transgression, and the hiding of His
Father's face, until His heart was broken and His life crushed
out. All this sacrifice was made that sinners might be redeemed.
In no other way could man be freed from the penalty of-sin.
And every soul that refuses to become a partaker of the atone-
ment provided at such a cost must bear in his own person the
guilt and punishment of transgression."—The
Great Contro-
versy,
page 540.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pages 501-504.
32
He Hates Sin
LESSON 4
❑
Monday
January
20
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beau-
tiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and
of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righ-
teous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniq-
uity." Matt. 23:27, 28.
Jesus unsparingly denounced sin that was carried on under
a cloak of piety. He always opposed sin, but He did not always
denounce it in the way that He did in Matthew 23.
"He [Jesus] hated but one thing in the world, and that was
sin. He could not witness a wrong act without pain which it
was impossible to disguise. Between the formalists, whose
sanctity of appearance concealed the love of sin, and a char-
acter in which zeal for God's glory was always paramount, the
contrast was unmistakable. Because the life of Jesus con-
demned evil, He was opposed, both at home and abroad. His
unselfishness and integrity were commented on with a sneer.
His forbearance and kindness were termed cowardice."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 88.
In writing of the woes that Jesus pronounced on the Phari-
sees, Ellen G. White wrote:
"With hand uplifted to heaven, and a divine light enshroud-
ing His person, Christ spoke as a judge to those before Him.
His voice, that had so often been heard in gentleness and
entreaty, was now heard in rebuke and condemnation. The
listeners shuddered. Never was the impression made by His
words and His look to be effaced.
"Christ's indignation was directed against the hypocrisy,
the gross sins, by which men were destroying their own souls,
deceiving the people and dishonoring God. In the specious
deceptive reasoning of the priests and rulers He discerned
the working of satanic agencies. Keen and searching had been
His denunciation of sin; but He spoke no words of retaliation.
He had a holy wrath against the prince of darkness; but He
manifested no irritated temper."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
619.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the difference between righteous indignation and
ordinary indignation?
"Divine pity marked the countenance of the Son of God as
He cast one lingering look upon the temple and then upon His
hearers. In a voice choked by deep anguish of heart and bitter
tears He exclaimed, . . . [Matt. 23:37 quoted]. This is the
separation struggle. In the lamentation of Christ the very heart
of God is pouring itself forth. It is the mysterious farewell of
the long-suffering love of the Deity."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 620.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 617-619.
33
Part 2
JESUS
DENOUNCED SIN
He Hates Sin
LESSON 4
❑
Tuesday
January 21
Part 3
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
SIN
SEPARATES
saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God,
FROM GOD
my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Matt. 27:46.
Jesus assumed man's sins.
He
carried the awesome burden
of sin. He knew that sin could not exist in the presence of His
Father, and it appeared to Him that the assumed burden of
mankind's sins would forever separate Him from His Father.
"The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb.
Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave
a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father's acceptance of the
sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their
separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the
sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty
race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father's wrath upon
Him as man's substitute, that made the cup He drank so bit-
ter, and broke the heart of the Son of God."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 753.
Note the similarity between God's pronouncement of judg-
ment on Judah by Isaiah and Jesus' experience at the cross.
Isa. 59:2. Note the difference.
Sin is destroyed by the presence of God. This fact is pointed
out
in
the Scriptures. See Heb. 12:29. Anything and everything
contaminated with sin becomes combustible in the presence
of God. The prophet Isaiah repeatedly points out that sin will
be destroyed by fire. See Isa. 33:11, 12; 30:33; 1:28-31; 9:18.
"If you cling to self, refusing to yield your will to God, you
are choosing death. To sin, wherever found, God is a consum-
ing fire. If you choose sin, and refuse to separate from it, the
presence of God, which consumes sin, must consume you."
—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page 62.
THINK IT THROUGH
Do I possess a realistic appraisal of the dire effects of
sin? Do I realize that sin will inevitably separate me from
God for eternity unless I am freed from it?
"The God of heaven is 'of purer eyes than to behold evil,'
and cannot 'look on iniquity.' Habakkuk 1:13. It is not because
He is unwilling to forgive that He turns from the transgressor;
it is because the sinner refuses to make use of the abundant
provisions of grace, that God is unable to deliver from sin."
—Prophets and Kings,
page 323.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
page 753.
34
He Hates Sin
LESSON 4
❑
Wednesday
January
22
Part 4
JESUS PREFERRED
DEATH TO SIN
THINK IT THROUGH
"And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he
was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to
him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these
stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is writ-
ten, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt. 4:2-4.
Jesus had fasted for nearly six weeks. He "was faint from
hunger, He was craving for food, when Satan came suddenly
upon Him. Pointing to the stones which strewed the desert, and
which had the appearance of loaves, the tempter said, 'If Thou
be the Son of God, command that these stones be made
bread.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 118.
Jesus had nearly reached the limit of human endurance. To
continue fasting would have been fatal. Yet under these cir-
cumstances He rejected Satan's suggestion. "In man's behalf,
Christ conquered by enduring the severest test. For 'our sake
He exercised a self-control stronger than hunger or death."
—The Desire of Ages,
page 117.
Satan confronted Jesus with two further temptations, but
Jesus resisted them also and finally bade Satan flee.,
"After the foe had departed, Jesus fell exhausted to the
earth, with the pallor of death upon His face. The angels of
heaven had watched the conflict, beholding their loved Com-
mander as He passed through inexpressible suffering to make
a way of escape for us. He had endured the test, greater than
we shall ever be called to endure. The angels now ministered
to the Son of God as He lay like one dying. He was strength-
ened with food, comforted with the message of His Father's
love and the assurance that all heaven triumphed in His vic-
tory. Warming to life again, His great heart goes out in sym-
pathy for man, and He goes forth to complete the work He
has begun; to rest not until the foe is vanquished, and our
fallen race redeemed
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 131.
In His preference of death instead of sin Jesus revealed
how the heavenly Father views sin. Nothing in the world can
happen to a human being that is as serious as the commission
of sin.
"Of all the lessons to be learned from our Lord's first great
temptation none is more important than that bearing upon
the control of the appetites and passions."—"The Desire of
Ages," page 122.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 129-131.
35
3-AQT-1-75
He Hates Sin
LESSON 4
❑
Thursday
January 23
Part 5
JESUS CAME TO DO
AWAY WITH SIN
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and
saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin
of the world." John 1:29.
Jesus came to this earth to separate man from sin. He knew
that lest man be separated from it, he will perish in it. A
sinner, not cleansed from sin and covered with the righteous-
ness of Christ, will perish in the presence of God. "The plan
of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the
power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from
sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has
made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every
repentant soul, to keep him from sinning."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 311.
Which is the last enemy that Jesus will destroy? 1 Cor.
15:26.
Death is caused by separation from God, since there is no
source of life apart from God. Jesus will be able to abolish
death only by teaching, persuading, and empowering intelli-
gent beings to separate from sin. Sin will be eliminated from
the universe by permitting those who do not choose to let Jesus
rule them, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to reap
the full result of separation from God—death. For "the sting of
death is sin." 1 Cor. 15: 56.
What did the Lord, under the symbol of wisdom in the
•
Old Testament, say that those actually do who hate Him?
Prov. 8:36.
"By a life of rebellion, Satan and all who unite with him
place themselves so out of harmony with God that His very
presence is to them a consuming fire. The glory of Him who
is love will destroy them."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 764.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is my personal attitude toward God's will as ex-
pressed in the Bible and His inspired writings?
"However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul,
transgression is our own
act."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
421.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 763, 764.
36
He Hates Sin
LESSON 4
❑
Friday
January 24
Part 6
GO, AND SIN
NO MORE
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
What is evident from the last part of the admonition of
Jesus to the woman taken in adultery?
"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go,
and sin no more." John 8:11.
.
It is God's plan that those who have accepted Jesus and
been born again cease from sinning. It is His hope and plan
that we choose to be wholly His.
"The tempter's agency is not to be accounted an excuse
for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when -he hears the pro-
fessed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity
of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no
excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a•Christlike life, is acces-
sible to every repenting, believing child of God."—The
Desire
of Ages,
page 311.
For what purpose did Jesus come to this earth? Maft. 1:21.
"Do you believe that Christ, as your substitute, pays the
debt of your transgression? Not, however, that you may con-
tinue in sin, but that you may be saved from your sins; that
you, through the merits of his righteousness, may be re-instated
to the favor of God. Do you know that a holy and just God will
accept your efforts to keep his law, through the merits of his
own beloved Son who died for your rebellion and sin?"—Ellen
G. White,
Review and Herald,
July 24, 1888.
In teaching His disciples and the multitudes, what quality
did Jesus repeatedly mention as necessary for Christian liv-
ing? John 11:15; Mark 9:23; Maft. 8:13; Mark 11:22; Luke
7:50.
"Faith must express on our part supreme preference, per-
fect reliance, entire consecration. Our will must be wholly
yielded to the divine will, our feelings, desires, interests, and
honor identified with the prosperity of Christ's kingdom and
the honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace from
Him, and Christ accepting gratitude from
us."—Testimonies,
Vol. 5, p. 229.
Do I really expect to be an overcomer of my sins? How?
"If it were not possible for human beings under the Abra-
hamic covenant to keep the commandments of God, every soul
of us is lost. The Abrahamic covenant is the covenant of grace.
'By grace ye are saved.' . . . Disobedient children? No, obe-
dient to all His commandments."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 1, p. 1092.
, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
"The Beatitudes,"
pages 24-27.
37
ERIC KREYE
LESSON 5
January 26-February 1
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Hears
People's Pleas
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matt. 7:7, 8.
When Jesus was on earth, He responded to the pleas of those who sought
His help. There is no instance recorded in which He turned someone away.
This attitude to people was a reflection of the way the Father treats those who
make sincere requests of Him.
Every sincere requedt reaches the ear and heart of God. Though our God
is the Ruler of an infinite universe, He is still "big enough" to be able to listen
to the smallest plea of the most insignificant of His earth-born children.
"Jesus sees His true church on the earth, whose greatest ambition is to
cooperate with Him in the grand work of saving souls. He hears their prayers,
presented in contrition and power, and Omnipotence cannot resist their plea
far the salvation of any tried, tempted member of Christ's
body."—Testimonies
to Ministers,
page 19.
"Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before
God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the
hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. . . . Take to
Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear,
for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing
that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. . . . The
relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there
were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul
for whom He gave His beloved
Son."—Steps to Christ,
page 100.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Centurion, Matt. 8:5-7
2.
The Leper's Plea, Luke 5:12
3.
The Syrophoenician Woman,
Matt. 15:22
4.
The Importunate Widow, Luke 18:2-5
5.
Peter's Plea for Help, Matt. 14:29, 30
6.
Father Himself Loves Us,
John 16:26, 27
39
He Hears People's Pleas
LESSON 5
❑
Sunday
January 26
"And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there
came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying,
Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously
tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal
him." Matt. 8:5-7.
To the centurion's expressed confidence that Jesus could
heal, the response of Jesus was instant. Thus, His reply, "I will
come and heal him."
The centurion's faith was so strong that he did not even
think it was necessary for the Master to come to his house and
see his servant. He thought of Jesus as a man in authority who
could heal by His word of command.
"He [Jesus] marveled at the faith of the centurion who came
to Him. The centurion did not question the Saviour's power.
He did not even ask Him to come in person to perform the
miracle. 'Speak the word only,' he said, 'and my servant shall
be healed.' ...
"He believed that Jesus could heal him. He had not seen
the Saviour, but the reports he heard had inspired him with
faith."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 315.
How was the centurion's implicit faith in Jesus' power
and willingness rewarded? Matt. 8:13.
Who was correct—the centurion who said he was un-
worthy, or the Jewish elders who said the centurion was
worthy of Jesus' help because of the good he had done?
Matt. 8:8; Luke 7:4.
The Jews fallaciously thought that a man through his good-
ness could merit the favor of God. They failed to realize that
"all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6) and that
man merits nothing except death for his sins. It is not his good-
ness that commends man to God, but his desperate need.
Is our faith in Jesus sufficiently strong so that we can take
Him at His word before seeing the deed?
"The Jewish elders who recommended the centurion to
Christ had shown how far they were from possessing the spirit
of the gospel. They did not recognize that our great need is
our only claim on God's mercy. In their self-righteousness they
commended the centurion because of the favor he had shown
to 'our nation.' But the centurion said of himself, 'I am not
worthy.' His heart had been touched by the grace of Christ.
He saw his own unworthiness; yet he feared not to ask help.
He trusted not to his own goodness; his argument was his great
need."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 316, 317.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 315-317.
40
Part 1
THE CENTURION
THINK IT THROUGH
He Hears People's Pleas
LESSON 5
❑
Monday
January 27
Part 2
"And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, be-
THE LEPER'S PLEA
hold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face,
and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make
me clean." Luke 5:12.
The leper entertained no doubts about Jesus' ability or
power to cure him of his dreadful disease, but he wondered
whether the Master would be willing to stoop down to his
wretchedness and heal him. As a leper he was a human out-
cast and was shunned for fear of lethal contamination. The Jews
counted a leper as good as dead along with the blind, the
poor, and the childless. Hence, he was afraid to approach the
Master with his plea for healing. Nevertheless, he mustered
his courage and spoke to Jesus. But he did not possess suffi-
cient boldness to ask for healing. He left that up to the Master
as he said, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
There are certain requests we may present to God with full
assurance of fulfillment. One is a request for forgiveness of
sin. See 1 John 1:9.
As Jesus put forth His hand and touched the leper, what
change took place in him? Luke 5:13.
THINK IT THROUGH
"Immediately a change passed over the leper. His flesh
became healthy, the nerves sensitive, the muscles firm. The
rough, scaly surface peculiar to leprosy disappeared, and a
soft glow, like that upon the skin of a healthy child, took its
place."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 263.
In what ways am I like the leper? Am I uncertain of Jesus'
willingness to heal me of the leprosy of sin? If so, place in-
delibly on memory's wall Hebrews 7:25.
"In the region of Christ's ministry, there were many of these
sufferers [lepers], and the news of His work reached them,
kindling a gleam of hope. But since the days of Elisha the
prophet, such a thing had never been known as the cleansing
of one upon whom this disease had fastened. They dared not
expect Jesus to do for them what He had never done for any
man. There was one, however, in whose heart faith began to
spring up."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 262, 263.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 263, 264.
41
He Hears People's Pleas
LESSON 5
Tuesday
January 28
Part 3
THE SYROPHOENI-
C IAN WOMAN
THINK IT THROUGH
"And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same
coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, 0
Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed
with a devil." Matt. 15:22.
"This woman had heard of the prophet, who, it was reported,
healed all manner of diseases. As she heard of His power, hope
sprang up in her heart. Inspired by a mother's love, she deter-
mined to present her daughter's case to Him. It was her reso-
lute purpose to bring her affliction to Jesus. He must heal her
child. She had sought help from the heathen gods, but had
obtained no relief. And at times she was tempted to think,
What can this Jewish teacher do for me? But the word had
come, He heals all manner of diseases, whether those who
come to Him for help are rich or poor. She determined not to
lose her only hope."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 400.
Even though a Canaanite, or foreign heathen, she accepted
and believed the reports that had reached her about the benev-
olent Jewish healer. Thus she resolutely approached Jesus
for help.
What was the attitude of the disciples toward her re-
quest? Matt. 15:23. What was Jesus' attitude? Verse 28.
The disciples were typical of their times. They felt no in-
clination to listen to this woman and help her even though
she was in sore need of help. She, as a heathen with no hope
of salvation, was to them of less value than an animal. They
wanted their Master to dismiss her, since she made an ado of
their presence in a strange place.
In what ways do I, as the disciples, segregate people
according to their class or background rather than look upon
them as unique individuals with personal needs which Jesus
stands ever ready to meet?
"Christ knew this woman's•situation. He knew that she was
longing to see Him, and He placed Himself in her path. By min-
istering to her sorrow, He could give a living representation of
the lesson He designed to teach. For this He had brought His
disciples into this region. He desired them to see the ignorance
existing in cities and villages close to the land of Israel. The
people who had been given every opportunity to understand
the truth were without a knowledge of the needs of those
around them. No effort was made to help souls in darkness.
The partition wall which Jewish pride had erected, shut even
the disciples from sympathy with the heathen world. But these
barriers were to be broken down."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
400.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 399-402.
42
He Hears People's Pleas
LESSON 5
❑
Wednesday
January
29
Part 4
THE IMPORTUNATE
WIDOW
THINK IT THROUGH
"There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither
regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she
came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And
he would not for a while: but afterward he said within him-
self, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
yet
because
this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her con-
tinual coming she weary me." Luke 18:2-5.
Why did the judge finally decide to listen to the widow's
plea and obtain justice for her? Verse 5.
Jesus in this parable presents the character of God through
contrast. "Christ here draws a sharp contrast between the un-
just judge and God. The judge yielded to the widow's request
merely through selfishness, that he might be relieved of her
importunity. He felt for her no pity or compassion; her misery
was nothing to him. How different is the attitude of God toward
those who seek Him. The appeals of the needy and distressed
are considered by Him with infinite compassion."—Christ's
Ob-
ject Lessons,
page 165.
God is not coerced into helping man. He never forgets His
earth children. See Isaiah 49:15, 16. Though all earthly or
human ties be broken, yet God will not forget us. Jesus re-
flected this concern for the needy of His day.
Do I extend help to those in need because I feel I have
to, or do I respond to their needs cheerfully from a loving
and helpful heart?
"The woman who entreated the judge for justice had lost her
husband by death. Poor and friendless, she had no means of
retrieving her ruined fortunes. So by sin, man lost his connec-
tion with God. Of himself he has no means of salvation. But
in Christ we are brought nigh unto the Father. The elect of
God are dear to His heart. They are those whom He has called
out of darkness into His marvelous light, to show forth His
praise, to shine as lights amid the darkness of the world. The
unjust judge had no special interest in the widow who impor-
tuned him for deliverance; yet in order to rid himself of her
pitiful appeals, he heard her plea, and delivered her from her
adversary. But God loves His children with infinite love. To
Him the dearest object on earth is His
church."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
pages 165, 166.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Shall Not God Avenge His Own?"
pages 164-166.
43
He Hears People's Pleas
LESSON 5
❑
Thursday
January 30
Part 5
PETER'S PLEA
FOR HELP
THINK IT THROUGH
"And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out
of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when
he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning
to sink, he cried, saying, Lord save me." Matt. 14:29, 30.
"Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-
satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the
boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boister-
ous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and
the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden
from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But
while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the
angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, 'Lord, save
me.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 381.
How did Jesus respond to Peter's desperate plea? Matt.
14:31.
Peter was in the predicament of being about to perish in
the turbulent water through His own pride and self-conceit.
Being able to walk on water, while his friends remained in the
boat, Peter took his eyes off Jesus in complacent satisfaction
over his achievement. Then he began to sink. Too late he
recognized that walking on water was not his own accomplish-
ment; Jesus alone had enabled him to do it. As he suddenly
recognized this, he cried out to Jesus in desperation for im-
mediate help. Instant help from the Master saved him.
When have I, like Peter, taken the glory to myself, al-
though it is only through God's enabling grace I am able
to do anything good and worthwhile?
"When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter!
We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed
upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go
over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that
he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then
forsake us. 'Fear not,' He says; 'for I have redeemed thee, I
have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest
through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,
thou shalt not be burned; neither shall, the flame kindle upon
thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy
Saviour.' Isa. 43:1-3."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 382.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 380-382.
44
He Hears People's Pleas
LESSON 5
❑
Friday
January 31
Part 6
THE FATHER
HIMSELF LOVES US
THINK IT THROUGH
"At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto
you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself
loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed
that I came out from God." John 16:26, 27.
God the Father loved and does love us. He does not love
us because God the Son, Jesus, loved us and gave His life
for us; rather, the Father was willing to give His Son for our
redemption because He Himself loves us. See John 3:16. Thus
as Jesus readily heard and responded to the pleas of sincere
men, so does God the Father.
Is God's love for men dependent on their repentance of
sin and acceptance of His plan for them? Rom. 5:8.
Jesus demonstrated the nature of God's love. He came to
call and save sinners. Luke 5:32; Matt. 9:13. He loves sinners,
and He came to save and deliver them from their sins. Even
though He was willing to give His life for sinners, sin cannot
exist in the presence of God. "For our God is a consuming
fire" (Heb. 12:29) to sin. God does not change or vary. He
remains constant. But to some He is the source of destruction
or a burning fire (Isa. 33:14; 2 Thess. 2:8, 9; Rev. 6:15-17),
because they retain sin, while to others He is the source of
exceeding joy (Isa. 25:9). God is both justice and mercy. Which
way He manifests Himself is determined by the character of
the persons to whom He appears.
Do I realize that, although God is love, He will become a
source of destruction to me unless I let Him save me from
sin?
"Christ's lessons in regard to prayer should be carefully
considered. There is a divine science in prayer, and His illus-
tration brings to view principles that all need to understand.
He shows what is the true spirit of prayer, He teaches the ne-
cessity of perseverance in presenting our requests to God, and
assures us of His willingness to hear and answer prayer."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 142.
"When perplexities arise, and difficulties confront you, look
not for help to humanity. Trust all with God. The practice of
telling our difficulties to others only makes us weak, and brings
no strength to them. It lays upon them the burden of our
spiritual infirmities, which they cannot relieve. We seek the
strength of erring, finite man, when we might have the strength
of the unerring, infinite
God."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page
146.
FURTHER
STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"The Privilege of Prayer," pages 93-98.
45
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Is
Concerned for
Individuals
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not there-
fore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7.
Too often we have no time for individuals. We deal with groups of people—
with classes or committees—but we neglect to talk to one person. individually.
Jesus took time to talk with single individuals. He still deals with us as persons
and is concerned with our personal problems.
From the Gospels the reader gains the impression that Jesus spent more
of His time talking to individuals than preaching to crowds. His healing ministry
was of necessity a one-to-one relationship. And "during His
,
ministry Jesus
devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 350.
"The work of Christ was largely made up of personal interviews. He had a
faithful regard for the one-soul audience. From that one soul the intelligence
received was carried to thousands."—Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 115.
The concern of Jesus for the individuals whom He met on His earthly sojourn
demonstrated the concern that the heavenly Father has for every one of us.
"He knows each individual by name, and cares for each as if there were not
another upon the earth for whom He gave His beloved Son."—The
Ministry of
Healing,
page 229.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Nocturnal Visit With Nicodemus, John 3:1-3
2.
At the Sychar Well, John 4:5-7
3.
Jesus Prayed for Peter, Luke 22:31, 32
4.
Jesus' Care for His Mother, John 19:26, 27
5.
Jesus' Reply to John the Baptist's Inquiry, Luke 7:19, 20
6.
God Knows Us Minutely, Luke 12:7
LESSON 6
February 2-8
HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST:
0
PAPA
He Is Concerned for Individuals
LESSON 6
❑
Sunday
February 2
Part 1
NOCTURAL VISIT
WITH NICODEMUS
"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a
ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said
unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from
God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except
God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot
see the kingdom of God." John 3:1-3.
Read also John 3:4-21.
Nicodemus possessed great talents, was highly educated,
and was an honored member of the Sanhedrin, the highest
council among the Jews. See
The Desire of Ages,
page 167.
Although rich, learned, and honored, he was strangely stirred
by the teachings of the unschooled Teacher from Nazareth.
With his countrymen he looked for the promised Messiah to
deliver His people from the Roman oppression their sins had
brought upon them. As he observed the work of Jesus in the
light of the Messianic prophecies, he thought he discerned in
Him the promised Deliverer.
"In the interview with Nicodemus, Jesus unfolded the plan
of salvation and His mission to the world. In none of His sub-
sequent discourses did He explain so fully, step by step, the
work necessary to be done in the hearts of all who would
inherit the kingdom of heaven."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
176.
What apparently happened to the seed Jesus placed in
Nicodemus' heart during this night visit? John 7:45-52;
19:38-40.
"The lesson that Christ had given to Nicodemus had not
been in vain. Conviction had fastened upon his mind, and in
his heart he had accepted Jesus. Since his interview with the
Saviour, he had earnestly searched the Old Testament Scrip-
tures, and he had seen truth placed in the true setting of the
gospel."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, p. 1136.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I gain the courage and willingness to speak to
one person alone?
The eighteenth century French preacher Bousset said: "It
requires more faith and courage to say two words face-to-face
with one sinner, than from the pulpit to rebuke two or three
thousand persons, ready to listen to everything, on condition
of forgetting all."
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 167, 168, 176, 177.
48
He Is Concerned for Individuals
LESSON 6
❑
Monday
February 3
Part 2
AT THE
SYCHAR WELL
"Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called
Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his
son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore,
being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it
was about the sixth hour. There cometh a. woman of Samaria
to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink." John
4:5-7.
Read also John 4:8-42.
"As she turned to go away, Jesus asked her for a drink.
Such a favor no Oriental would withhold. In the East, water
was called 'the gift of God.' To offer a drink to the thirsty
traveler was held to be a duty so sacred that the Arabs of the
desert would go out of their way in order to perform it. The
hatred between Jews and Samaritans prevented the woman
from offering a kindness to Jesus; but the Saviour was seeking
to find the key to this heart, and with the tact born of divine
love, He asked, not offered, a favor."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 183, 184.
Jesus was anxious to reach the woman. Although a Samari-
tan and a sinner, He knew she was susceptible to truth. Truth
pierced her assumed casualness and reached into her heart.
In response to the earnest words of Jesus "her light, bantering
manner began to change."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 184.
What confession did she make after Jesus had unveiled to
her the secrets of her sinful life? John 4:19.
After Jesus had told her He was the looked-for Messiah,
what did the woman do, and how fruitful was the personal
work for one lone woman? John 4:28-39.
"As soon as she had found the Saviour the Samaritan woman
brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective mis-
sionary than His own disciples. . . . Through the woman whom
they [the disciples] despised, a whole cityful were brought to
hear the Saviour. She carried the light at once to her country-
men."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 195.
THINK IT THROUGH
Am I, as an ambassador for God, willing to present the
best message I have to a one-person audience, or do I self-
ishly save it for a larger audience? Notice that Jesus did not.
"As Jesus spoke of the living water, the woman looked upon
Him with wondering attention. He had aroused her interest, and
awakened a desire for the gift of which He spoke. . . .
"Before this soul could receive the gift He longed to bestow,
she must be brought to recognize her sin and her Saviour."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 187.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 183, 184, 194, 195.
49
He Is Concerned for Individuals
LESSON 6
❑
Tuesday
February 4
Part 3
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
JESUS PRAYED
desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I
FOR PETER
have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou
art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31, 32.
Jesus was personally concerned with Peter's salvation. He
therefore did not merely pray for the disciples, or for the
church, as is indicated in John 17:9, 15, 20, but He prayed for
Peter personally. He foretold his full and complete conversion
after which he would feed the lambs and the sheep of the
Lord. See John 21:14-17.
After the resurrection, when Jesus appeared to "Mary
Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome,"
according to Mark 16:1 (see Matt. 28:9), how did He again
show His concern for Peter? Mark 16:7.
THINK IT THROUGH
Jesus knew that Peter needed special encouragement after
his denial in the judgment hall. Hence, He sent a special mes-
sage to him and also appeared to Peter, before He appeared
to any of the other disciples. See Luke 24:34 and 1 Cor. 15:5.
"'Tell His disciples and Peter,' the angels said. Since the
death of Christ, Peter had been bowed down with remorse.
His shameful denial of the Lord, and the Saviour's look of
love and anguish, were ever before him. Of all the disciples
he had suffered most bitterly. To him the assurance is given
that his repentance is accepted and his
sin
forgiven. He is
mentioned by name."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 793.
In what ways do I come short of being as solicitous as
was Jesus to rebuild and restore the courage and the sense
of belonging of one who has been trapped by Satan and
fallen into sin?
"Peter was naturally forward and impulsive, and Satan had
taken advantage of these characteristics to overthrow him. Just
before the fall of Peter, Jesus had said to him, 'Satan hath
desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have
prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art con-
verted, strengthen thy brethren.' Luke 22:31, 32. That time had
now come, and the transformation in Peter was evident. The
close, testing questions of the Lord had not called out one
forward, self-sufficient reply; and because of his humiliation
and repentance, Peter was better prepared than ever before
to act as shepherd to the flock."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
812.
FURTHER STUDY
Education,
pages 88-91.
50
He Is Concerned for Individuals
LESSON 6
❑
Wednesday
February 5
Part 4
JESUS' CARE FOR
HIS MOTHER
"So when Jesus saw his mother and his favourite disciple
standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, there is your
son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'And, there is your mother!'
And from that hour the disciple took her to his home." John
19:26, 27, Moffatt.
Even in His hour of excruciating pain on the cross Jesus
was not oblivious of the future needs of His mother. As a lov-
ing son who would be unable to care for her in the future, Jesus
at the cross committed her to the care of John. John was tender
and loving and would give to her the care an aging woman
needed.
"The last lesson of Jesus was one of filial love. He looked
upon the grief-stricken face of His mother, and then upon
John; said He, addressing the former: 'Woman, behold thy
son!' Then, to the disciple: 'Behold thy mother!' John 19:27.
John well understood the words of Jesus, and the sacred trust
which was committed to him. He immediately removed the
mother of Christ from the fearful scene of Calvary. From that
hour he cared for her as would a dutiful son, taking her to his
own home. The perfect example of Christ's filial love shines
forth with undimmed luster from the mist of ages. While en-
during the keenest torture, He was not forgetful of His mother,
but made all provision necessary for her future."—The
Story
of Redemption,
page 224.
How did Jesus' provision for His mother fit into God's
instruction in the Old Testament concerning children's rela-
tionship to parents? Ex. 20:12.
Our first mundane duty is or should be toward our parents.
This is pointed out both in the Old and the New Testaments.
See Lev. 19:3; Deut. 5:16; Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20. Jesus lived
by this precept.
THINK IT THROUGH
How does my concern for my parents' needs compare with
that of Jesus for His mother?
"For nearly thirty years Jesus by His daily toil had helped
bear the burdens of the home. And now, even in His last agony,
He remembers to provide for His sorrowing, widowed mother.
The same spirit will be seen in every disciple of our Lord. Those
who follow Christ will feel that it is a part of their religion to
respect and provide for their parents. From the heart where
His love is cherished, father and mother will never fail of re-
ceiving thoughtful care and tender sympathy."—The
Desire
of Ages,
page 752.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
page 752; cf. page 82.
51
4-A QT-1 -75
He Is Concerned for Individuals
LESSON 6
❑
Thursday
February 6
Part 5
JESUS' REPLY TO
JOHN THE BAPTIST'S
INQUIRY
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
52
"And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them
to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we
for another? When the men were come unto him, they said,
John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that
should come? or look we for another?" Luke 7:19, 20.
In the gloom of imprisonment in the damp dungeon of Herod
Antipas the poison of doubt in Jesus as the promised Messiah
entered John's mind. These doubts were instilled by John's own
disciples. "Doubts which otherwise would never have arisen
were suggested to John. Satan rejoiced to hear the words of
these disciples, and to see how they bruised the soul of the
Lord's messenger. Oh, how often those who think themselves
the friends of a good man, and who are eager to show their
fidelity to him, prove to be his most dangerous enemies! How
often, instead of strengthening his faith, their words depress
and dishearten!"—The
Desire of Ages,
page 215.
How did Jesus answer the anxious queries of John's dis-
ciples, and what were they to report to John the Baptist?
Luke 7:21-23.
Jesus was aware of the troubled forebodings in the mind
of His forerunner and friend. These were grounded in his mis-
understanding of Christ's kingdom. He knew the reasons for
John's perplexity; therefore He did not dismiss the messengers
and their inquiry as foolish and unwarranted. He' invited them ,
to remain with Him and observe His work of healing and teach-
ing.
•
"The Saviour did not at once answer the disciples' question.
As they stood wondering at His silence, the sick and afflicted
were coming to Him to be healed. The blind were groping their
way through the crowd; diseased ones of all classes, some
urging their own way, some borne by their friends, were eagerly
pressing into the presence of Jesus."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 216, 217.
Like Jesus, I should try to understand and emphathize with
people with anxious, troubled hearts and not brush them off
and dismiss their fears as foolish.
"At last Jesus called them to Him, and bade them go and
tell John what they had witnessed, adding, 'Blessed is he, who-
soever shall find none occasion of stumbling in Me.' Luke 7:23,
R.V. The evidence of His divinity was seen in its adaptation to
the needs of suffering humanity. His glory was shown in His
condescension to our low estate.
"The disciples bore the message, and it was enough."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 217.
The Desire of Ages,
pages 214-217.
He Is Concerned for Individuals
LESSON 6
❑
Friday
February 7
Part 6
GOD KNOWS US
MINUTELY
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many spar-
rows." Luke 12:7.
Jesus assures us that He knows us individually. He knows
the unique circumstances and peculiar needs of each one of
us.
"God cares for everything and sustains everything that He
has created. He who upholds the unnumbered worlds through-
out immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the
little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear.
When men go forth to their daily toil, as when they engage in
prayer; when they lie down at night, and when they rise in the
morning; when the rich man feasts in his palace, or when the
poor man gathers his children about the scanty board, each is
tenderly watched by the heavenly Father. No tears are shed
that God does not notice. There is no smile that He does not
mark."—Steps
to Christ,
page 86.
How had God in the Old Testament expressed His aware-
ness of the singular conditions and experiences of each in-
dividual? Ps. 87:4-6; 56:8.
James Moffat, in
A New Translation of the Bible,
renders
Psalm 56:8: "Thou countest up my sleepless hours, my tears
are gathered in thy bottle—are they not noted in thy book?"
God is aware of the conditions under which every one of
us is born and reared as well as the unique circumstances of
each person. When God shall write up His people, He will keep
all this in mind.
It is our impression of having been forgotten by everyone
—or our impression of complete aloneness—that at times
makes our lot seem almost unbearable. If we could only re-
member that God is aware of us and that He still watches over
us, we would indeed acclaim Him as our God as did Nathanael
(see John 1:49), and our despair would evaporate. His promise
to you and me today is this: "If we surrender our lives to His
service, we can never be placed in a position for which God
has not made provision. Whatever may be our situation, we
have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities, we
have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or
loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 173.
What instances or experiences can I recall from my own
life that convince me that God knows about my peculiar or
unique needs and that He cares for me?
Steps to Christ,
"A Knowledge of God," pages 86, 87.
.53
"The Lord saw our fallen condition;
He saw our need of grace, and because
He loved our souls, He has given us
grace and peace. Grace means favor to
one who is undeserving, to one who
is lost. The fact that we are sinners,
instead of shutting us away from the
mercy and love of God, makes the ex-
ercise of His love to us a positive ne-
cessity in order that we may be saved."
—Selected Messages,
Bk. 1, p. 347.
LESSON 7
February 9-15
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Gives
Grace
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9.
Man in himself is hopelessly lost. He may long for and strive for salvation,
but he cannot attain to it. Only death—eternal death—awaits man as a result
of his sin. "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.
Thus all men, left to themselves, are doomed to death.
But does not God have a law? Cannot the law help man to attain salvation?
Yes, God does have a law, but there is no possibility that man can receive help
from the law. A law, the violation of which demands the life of the transgressor,
cannot save anyone. Everyone who has violated it in the least particular can
only look forward to death. This
is
man's sore plight. Although man was created
to live for time and for eternity, he squandered this opportunity and privilege
through sin. Through sin man became doomed to extinction. But through His
grace God saves us. Jesus' teachings reflect to us the grace of God toward
unworthy, but repentant, sinners.
"Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings.
We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow
His grace upon us, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly
unworthy. Our only claim to His mercy is our great need.
"The Lord God through Jesus Christ holds out His hand all the day long
in invitation to the sinful and fallen. He will receive all. He welcomes all. It is
His glory to pardon the chief of sinners."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 161.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Reward for Labor, Matt. 20:1, 2
2.
All Received What Was Right, Matt. 20:3, 4
3.
Same Pay for Each, Matt. 20:8-10
4.
The Invitation to the Wedding, Matt. 22:2, 3
5.
Examination of the Guests, Matt. 22:11-13
6.
Salvation Is a Gift, Eph. 2:8-10
55
He Gives Grace
LESSON 7
❑
Sunda)
February
Part 1
THE REWARD
FOR LABOR
"For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is ar
householder, which went out early in the morning to hire
labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed witl
,
the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vine
yard." Matt. 20:1, 2.
This parable was preceded by the incident of the rich younc
ruler who approached the Master Teacher asking what gooc
thing
he
should do to have eternal life. Against the background
of the disciples' having left all to follow Jesus, Peter ques-
tioned; "What shall we have therefore?" See Matt. 19:27-30
In answer to this question Christ showed the part played by
grace in the Christian life.
The
New English Bible,
instead of "a penny a day," says
the offer was "the usual day's wage."
The Interpreter's Bible
(Vol. 7, p. 490) suggests that "a penny" denotes a generous
wage for that time and place.
Lange's Commentary
(Vol. 8,
p. 352) points out that a
"shilling
would be a far better popular
equivalent for a
denarius
than
penny."
And cites as evidence
that "Polybius (ii. 15) mentions that the charge for a day's en-
tertainment in the inns of Cisalpine Gaul (today's northern Italy)
was only . . . one twentieth of a denarius." Hence "a penny a
day" denotes good pay for a day's work.
What is the meaning of the illustration of the camel and
the needle's eye? Matt. 19:24, 26.
"It is only through the unmerited grace of Christ that any
man can find entrance into the city of
God."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 394.
How does this conform to the words of God through the
prophet Isaiah? Isa. 55:1.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is my motive in serving God?
"In the parable the first laborers agreed to work for a stipu-
lated sum, and they received the amount specified, nothing
more. Those later hired believed the master's promise, 'What-
soever is right, that shall ye receive.' . . . They were rewarded,
not according to the amount of their labor, but according to
the generosity of his purpose.
"So God desires us to trust in Him who justifieth the un-
godly. His reward is given not according to our merit but ac-
cording to His own purpose."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page
397.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 431.
56
He Gives Grace
LESSON 7
❑
Monday
February 10
Part 2
ALL RECEIVED
WHAT WAS RIGHT
"And he went out about the Third hour, and saw others
standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye
also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give
you. And they went their way." Matt. 20:3, 4.
Read also Matt. 20:5-7.
Hour after hour the householder called other men to work
in his vineyard. With these he agreed about no wage. He only
promised that "whatsoever is right I will give you." These men
responded to the call. They did not argue nor haggle abdut
wages. They went to work trusting that the householder would
be fair with them.
"Those later hired believed the master's promise, 'Whatso-
ever is right, that shall ye receive.' They showed their confi-
dence in him by asking no question in regard to wages. They
trusted to his justice and
equity."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 397.
Would you regard it as foolish to accept employment
without knowing the exact wages you were to receive for
your service?
It all depends upon your confidence in the party which
hires you and how urgently you need employment. It is con-
ceivable that a person may have unbounded confidence in his
employer, or need money so badly, that he will do whatever
work is offered him without inquiring about the rate of pay.
"The Lord desires us to rest in Him without a question as
to our measure of reward. When Christ abides in the soul, the
thought of reward is not uppermost. This is not the motive
that actuates our service. It is true that in a subordinate sense
we should have respect to the recompense of reward. God de-
sires us to appreciate His promised blessings. But He would
not have us eager for rewards nor feel that for every duty we
must receive compensation. We should not be so anxious to
gain the reward as to do what is right, irrespective of all gain.
Love to God and to our fellow men should be our motive."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 398, 399.
By what illustration does the prophet Isaiah emphasize the
fact that there is nothing man can do to earn God's salvation?
Isa. 61:10.
"Were Jesus upon earth now, he would say to thousands
whose names are on church-books, 'Why stand ye all the day
idle?' Go ye also into the vineyard.' "—Ellen G. White,
Review
and Herald,
Jan. 6, 1885.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"The Reward of Grace," pages
397, 398.
57
He Gives Grace
LESSON 7
❑
Tuesday
February 11
Part 3
SAME PAY
FOR EACH
"So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith
unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire,
beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came
that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every
man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that
they should have received more; and they likewise received
every man a penny." Matt. 20:8-10.
, "The reception of the penny by the laborers represents the
character that God will give to those who follow Him."—Ellen
Gr. White,
Review and Herald,
July 10, 1894.
At first sight it might appear unfair to give the same wage
to ,all laborers regardless of the length of time they worked.
But when we realize what the penny represents, we humbly
recognize that it is a gift of God's grace to all of us.
To the first servants, the Jews, as to the last servants hired,
the Gentiles, the penny—salvation—was a gift of God's grace.
Everyone who appreciates God's gift of salvation will rejoice
that he was called or found by God in the early morning of
life, rather than saved at the last moment like the thief on the
cross.
THINK IT THROUGH
How disinterestedly do I serve God without comparing my
lot with that of others?
"Not the amount of labor performed or its visible results
but the spirit in which the work is done makes it of value with
God. Those who came into the vineyard at the eleventh hour
waVe thankful for an opportunity to work. Their hearts were
full of gratitude to the one who had accepted them; and when
at the close of the day the householder paid them for a full
day's work, they were greatly surprised. They knew they had
not earned such wages. And the kindness expressed in the
countenance of their employer filled them with joy. They never
forgot the goodness of the householder or the generous com-
pensation they had received. Thus it is with the sinner who,
knowing his unworthiness, has entered the Master's vineyard
at the eleventh hour. His time of service seems so short, he
feels that he is undeserving of reward; but he is filled with
joy that God has accepted him at all. He works with a humble,
trusting spirit, thankful for the privilege of being a co-worker
with Christ. This spirit God delights to
honor."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
pages 397, 398.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"The Reward of Grace," pages
399-404.
58
He Gives Grace
LESSON 7
❑
Wednesday
February 12
Part 4
THE INVITATION
TO THE WEDDING
THINK IT THROUGH
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which
made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to
call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would
not come." Matt. 22:2, 3.
"In this parable, as in that of the great supper, are illus-
trated the gospel invitation, its rejection by the Jewish people,
and the call of mercy to the Gentiles."—Christ's
Object Les-
sons,
page 307.
Although similar to the parable of the great supper in Luke
14:16-24, this story teaches different truths. Like the former,
it illustrated the rejection of the gospel invitation by the Jews
and the giving of the invitation to the Gentiles. "This was the
message borne to the Jewish nation after the crucifixion of
Christ; but the nation that claimed to be God's peculiar people
rejected the gospel brought to them in the power of the Holy
Spirit."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 308.
The king in the parable represents God; the son, Jesus.
"By the marriage is represented the union of humanity with
divinity."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 307.
To whom was the invitation to the wedding extended upon
the rejection of the invitation by those first called? Matt.
22:8-10.
"He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon
examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are ac-
cepted of God and counted worthy of a share in His kingdom
and a seat upon His throne. This work of examination of char-
acter, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of
God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing work
in the sanctuary above."—The
Great Controversy,
page 428.
All
of us
are invited to the wedding, but what, in symbol
and experience, determines our eligibility to attend it?
"The man who came to the feast without a wedding garment
represents the condition of many in our world today. They
profess to be Christians, and lay claim to the blessings and
privileges of the gospel; yet they feel no need of a transforma-
tion of character."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 315.
"There will be no future probation in which to prepare for
eternity. It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of
Christ's righteousness."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 319.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Without a Wedding Garment,"
pages 310-319.
59
He Gives Grace
LESSON 7
❑
Thursday
February 13
"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw
there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he
saith unto him, Friend, how tamest thou in hither not having
a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the
king to .the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him
away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weep-
ing
and
gnashing of teeth." Matt. 22:11-13.
"The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to
serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 310.
"Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the
guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the
spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood
of the Lamb."—The
Great Controversy,
page 428.
It might appear unfair for the groom's father to throw out
a poor guest at his son's wedding who could not afford formal
attire. But it was not. Every guest had been offered suitable
apparel by the groom's father. Hence, it was an insult to the
wedding party for the guest not to wear it.
God has invited every one of us to His wedding feast in
heaven. To be fit for heavenly society He offers us the garment
of Christ's righteousness.
What was done to the guest who did not wear the wed-
ding garment? Matt. 22:13, 14.
Lest we come away from the study of this parable more self-
righteous and calloused to God's invitation to salvation ex-
tended to every one of us, we will turn our attention away
from the Jewish nation and their rejection of God's plan to
ourselves. God is inviting every one of us—and the whole
world—to His wedding feast. The call in this parable is a per-
sonal call to each one of us.
THINK IT THROUGH
How do I receive the messengers of faith, both through
the Bible and the inspired writings and through His mouth-
pieces today, and their pleas to me?
"The spiritual banquet has been set before us in rich abun-
dance. We have had presented to us by the messengers of
God the richest feast—the righteousness of Christ, justification
by faith, the exceeding great and precious promises of God
in His Word, free access to the Father by Jesus Christ, the
comforts of the Holy Spirit, and the well-grounded assurance
of eternal life in the kingdom of God. We ask, What could God
do for us that He has not done in preparing the great supper,
the heavenly banquet?"—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, p. 1097.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Without a Wedding Garment,"
pages 307-309.
60
Part 5
EXAMINATION OF
THE GUESTS
He Gives Grace
LESSON 7
❑
Friday
February 14
Part 6
SALVATION
IS A GIFT
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any
man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before or-
dained that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:8-10.
Remembering that the penny, received as payment by the
laborers in the vineyard, represents the character of Christ, it
is obvious that no one can earn it or attain to such a state of
maturity or perfection in their own wisdom and strength. We
are to receive the character of Christ as a gift from God. In
this way we become partakers of the divine nature.
We are forgiven for committed sins through Christ's death.
This is justification, "our title to heaven," by which we are ac-
counted righteous for Christ's sake, or for what He has done
for us in response to our change of attitude toward Him and
His will. Then we shall be preserved or given enabling power
to resist temptation successfully through Christ's living out His
life within us through the Holy Spirit; this is sanctification
which is "our fitness for heaven." See
Messages to Young
People,
page 35.
For what purpose did God send His Son into the world?
Matt. 1:21.
Jesus came and died for us not merely to earn the right to
forgive us for sins committed but to save us or deliver us from
the bondage of sin. God had sent Him according to the proph-
ecy of Isaiah not merely "to bind up the brokenhearted" but
"to proclaim, liberty to the captives, and the opening of the
prison to them that are bound." In. 61:1; cf. 42:7.
To attain to God's plan for us we need not merely forgiving
grace but sustaining or preserving grace. It was for such grace
that Jesus daily implored His Father. "Christ during His life
on earth sought His Father daily for fresh supplies of needed
grace."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 56.
THINK IT THROUGH
Do I expect to sin continuously, or do I believe Jesus can
give me power to become victorious over the tempter?
"Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came
to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision
that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul;
to keep him from sinning."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 311.
FURTHER STUDY
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
"The Spirituality of
the Law," pages 76-78.
61
LESSON 8
February 16-22
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I
will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." Maft. 7:24.
It is God who initiated the search for man in sin. He has loved man before
man responded in any way to His loving overtures. But God's loving search is
in the hope of a voluntary, loving response from man. The response for which
God looks is not only the inner response of man's mind, but a whole-life re-
sponse of man to God's revealed will. Thought and action combined is the only
valid response to God when man is found of Him.
Jesus repeatedly taught this principle. It comes to light clearly in the parable
of,the houses built on rock and on sand. But Jesus not only
taught
obedience;
He Himself obeyed the Father. Thus by His teachings and His life He revealed
that God requires man's obedience.
"Christ came to the world with the accumulated love of eternity. Sweeping
away the exactions which had encumbered the law of God, He showed that the
law is a law of love, an expression of the Divine Goodness. He showed that
in obedience to its principles is involved the happiness of mankind, and with
it the stability, the very foundation and framework, of human society.
"So far from making arbitrary requirements, God's law is given to men as
a hedge, a shield. Whoever accepts its principles is preserved from evil. Fidel-
ity to God involves fidelity to man. Thus the law guards the rights, the individ-
uality, of every human being. It restrains the superior from oppression, and
the subordinate from disobedience. It ensures man's well-being, both for this
world and for the world to come. To the obedient it is the pledge of eternal
life, for it expresses the principles that endure forever.
"Christ came to demonstrate the value of the divine principles by revealing
their power for the regeneration of humanity. He came to teach how these prin-
ciples are to be developed and applied."—Education, pages 76, 77.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Friends of Jesus, John 15:14
5. Rejecter of Jesus, Mark 10:21
2.
Relatives of Jesus, Matt. 12:48-50
6. Experience of Jesus, Matt. 26:39,
3.
Believers in Jesus-1, Matt. 7:21-23
42, 44
4.
Believers in Jesus—II, Matt. 7:24-27
63
He Requires Obedience
LESSON 8
❑
Sunday
February16
Part 1
FRIENDS
OF JESUS
What condition for friendship with Him did Jesus state?
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
John 15:14.
In ordinary human friendships obedience is not a require-
ment. For one to insist that his friends obey him places a
strain on the relationship that will probably destroy it. But the
relationship of the believer to Jesus is no ordinary friendship,
because Jesus redeemed man. Obedience characterizes the
servant-master relationship. But the obedience that Jesus re-
quires is not the blind obedience of a servant. Jesus said
(verse 15) that He revealed to them what the Father revealed
to Him and therefore they were His friends, not merely His
servants. The disciples were to obey Jesus because they under-
stood His requirements. If, knowing Jesus' identity and His
requirements, the disciples refused to obey Him, they would
thus reject His friendship. Jesus pointed to His heavenly Father
as the source of the commands that they were to understand,
accept, and obey because they were Jesus' friends.
Jesus placed no burden on the disciples that He Himself
had not borne. Jesus said (verse 10) that He had kept His
Father's commandments. This was exactly the requirement that
He sought to lay upon the disciples.
"We give evidence of being the friends of Christ when we
manifest implicit obedience to His will. It is no evidence to
say, and do not; but in doing, in obeying, is the evidence. Who
are obeying the commandment to love one another as Christ
has loved
them?"—Testimonies,
Vol. 1, p. 691.
"The test is: What are you
doing
for Christ? What sacrifices
are you making? What victories are you gaining? A selfish
spirit overcome, a temptation to neglect duty resisted, passion
subdued, and willing, cheerful obedience rendered to the will
of Christ are far greater evidences that you are a child of God
than spasmodic piety and emotional
religion."—Testimonies,
Vol. 4, p. 188.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why do I obey Jesus?
"When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest,
but by love, they show the working of an influence that is
above every human influence. Where this oneness exists, it
is evidence that the image of God is being restored in hu-
manity, that a new principle of life has been implanted. It
shows that there is power in the divine nature to withstand
the supernatural agencies of evil, and that the grace of God
subdues the selfishness inherent in the natural heart."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 678.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
page 668.
64
He Requires Obedience
LESSON 8
❑
Monday
February 17
Part 2
RELATIVES OF JESUS
"Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he
stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Be-
hold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do
the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my
brother, and sister, and mother." Matt. 12:48-50.
Jesus had
-
no lack of love for the members of His family,
but He here pointed out that allegiance to the Father super-
sedes human relationships. A prime purpose of Christ's life
was to attract people to do God's will. He taught that if they
would respond to His teaching, they would hold a relation to
Him that was closer than that of nearest relatives.
How important did Jesus regard the obedience to His
Father's will in His own life? John 4:34.
"God stands toward His people in the relation of a father,
and He has a father's claim to our faithful service. Consider the
life of Christ. Standing at the head of humanity, serving His
Father, He is an example of what every son should and may be.
The obedience that Christ rendered God requires from human
beings today. He served His Father with love, in willingness and
freedom. . . . Christ counted no sacrifice too great, no toil
too hard, in order to accomplish the work which He came to
do....
"Thus we are to serve God. He only serves who acts up
to the highest standard of obedience. All who would be sons
and daughters of God must prove themselves co-workers with
God and Christ and the heavenly angels. This is the test for
every
soul."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 282, 283.
THINK IT THROUGH
"When He gives you the mind of Christ, your will becomes
as His will, and your character is transformed to
be
like
Christ's character. Is it your purpose to do God's will? Do
you wish to obey the Scriptures?"—"Testimonies/' Vol. 5,
p. 515.
'There is no such thing as following Christ unless you refuse
to gratify inclination and determine to obey God. It is not your
feelings, your emotions, that make you a child of God, but
the doing of God's will. A life of usefulness is before you if
your will becomes God's will. Then you may stand in your God-
given manhood, an example of good works. You will then help
to maintain rules of discipline instead of helping to break them
down. You will then help to maintain order instead of despising
it and inciting to irregularity of life by your own course of
action.
I
tell you in the fear of God: I know what you may be
if your will is placed on the side of
God."—Testimonies,
Vol.
5, p. 515.
FURTHER STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"The Work and the Life," pages 77, 78.
65
He Requires Obedience
LESSON 8
❑
Tuesday
February 18
Part 3
BELIEVERS
IN JESUS—I
THINK IT THROUGH
What persons did Jesus say would enter the kingdom?
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of
my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that
day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Matt. 7:21-23.
Jesus did not here teach that the doing of the Father's will
is the means by which the saved gain an entrance into the
kingdom, but only that all those who enter the kingdom have
done His will. People are redeemed by Christ. As a result of
this redemption they will obey His will. For one to continue in
sin, refusing to do God's will, negates redemption. This teach-
ing of Jesus calls attention to two results of salvation by faith:
(1) obedience to the heavenly Father, and (2) entrance into
the kingdom. Faith must be adequate to accomplish the first
result if it is to accomplish the second result.
"A mere profession of discipleship is of no value. The faith
in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to
be by many. 'Believe, believe,' they say, 'and you need not
keep the law.' But a belief that does not lead to obedience
is presumption. The apostle John says, 'He that saith, I know
Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him.' 1 John 2:4. Let none cherish the idea that
special providences or miraculous manifestations are to be
the proof of the genuineness of their work or of the ideas
they advocate. When persons will speak lightly of the word of
God, and set their impressions, feelings, and exercises above
the divine standard, we may know that they have no light in
them."—Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
page 146.
"1 entreat you who have long professed the faith and who
still pay outward homage to Christ: Do not deceive your own
souls. It is the whole heart that Jesus prizes. The loyalty of
the soul is alone of value in the sight of God."—"Testimonies,"
Vol. 5, p. 73.
"When benevolence, kindness, tenderheartedness, sympathy,
are manifest in our lives; when the joy of right doing is in our
hearts; when we exalt Christ, and not self, we may know that
our faith is of the right
order."—Thoughts
From the Mount of
Blessing,
pages 146, 147.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
Vol. 1, pp. 416, 417.
66
He Requires Obedience
LESSON 8
❑
Wednesday
February 19
Part 4
BELIEVERS
IN JESUS—II
THINK IT THROUGH
Jesus followed His teaching on doing the Father's will with
His parable of the houses built on rock and on sand.
Read Matthew 7:24-27.
What is the meaning of building on the rock? Verse 24.
What is the meaning of building on the sand? Verse 26.
"It is not enough, He says, for you to hear My words. By
obedience you must make them the foundation of your char-
acter. Self is but shifting sand. If you build upon human the-
ories and inventions, your house will fall. By the winds of
temptation, the tempests of trial, it will be swept away. But
these principles that I have given will endure. Receive Me;
build on My words."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 314.
"There are many in the church who at heart
to
to the
world, but God calls upon those who claim to believe the
advanced truth, to rise above the present attitude of the pop-
ular churches 'of to-day. Where is the self-denial, where is the
cross-bearing that Christ has said should characterize His
followers? The reason we have had so little influence upon
unbelieving relatives and associates is that we have mani-
fested little decided difference in our Practices from those of
the world. Parents need to awake, and purify their souls by
practicing the truth in their home life. When we reach the
standard that the Lord would have us reach, worldlings will
regard Seventh-day Adventists as odd, singular, strait-laced
extremists."—Fundamentals of Christian Education,
page 289.
In what ways am I failing to do what I have heard from
.
Jesus?
"There are two great principles, one of loyalty, the other of
disloyalty. We all need greater Christian courage, that we may
uplift the standard on which is inscribed the commandments
of God and the faith of Jesus. . . . The line of demarcation
between the obedient and the disobedient must be plain and
distinct. We must have a firm determination to do the Lord's
will at all times and in all places. . . .
"Christian strength is obtained by serving the Lord faith-
fully. Young men and young women should realize that to be
one with Christ is the highest honor to which they can attain.
By the strictest fidelity they should strive for moral indepen-
dence, and this independence they should maintain against
every influence that may try to turn them from righteous prin-
ciples."—My
Life
Today, page 73.
FURTHER STUDY
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
"Not Judging, But
Doing," pages 149, 150.
67
He Requires Obedience
LESSON 8
❑
Thursday
February 20
Part 5
REJECTER
OF JESUS
THINK IT THROUGH
"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him,
One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." Mark
10:21.
"Christ made the only terms which could place the ruler
where he would perfect a Christian character. His words were
words of wisdom, though they appeared severe and exacting.
In accepting and obeying them was the ruler's only hope of
salvation. His exalted position and his possessions were exert-
ing a subtle influence for evil upon his character. If cherished,
they would supplant God in his affections. To keep back little
or much from God was to retain that which would lessen his
moral strength and efficiency; for if the things of this world
are cherished, however uncertain and unworthy they may be,
they will become all-absorbing."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
520.
"Christ's dealing with the young man is presented as an
object lesson. God has given us the rule of conduct which
every one of His servants must follow. It is obedience to His
law, not merely a legal obedience, but an obedience which
enters into the life, and is exemplified in the character. God
has set His own standard of character for all who would be-
come subjects of His kingdom. Only those who will become
co-workers with Christ, only those who will say, Lord, all I
have and all I am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons
and daughters of God. All should consider what it means to
desire heaven, and yet to turn away because of the conditions
laid down. Think of what it means to say 'No' to Christ. The
ruler said, No, I cannot give You all. Do we say the'same? The
Saviour offers to share with us the work God has given us
to do. He offers to use the means God has given us, to carry
forward His work in the world. Only in this way can He save
us."—The Desire of Ages,
page 523.
What temptations place me in danger of rejecting Jesus'
call to follow Him?
"Christ does not lessen the claims of the law. In unmistak-
able language He presents obedience to it as the condition
of eternal life—the same condition that was required of Adam
before his fall. The Lord expects no less of the soul now than
He expected of man in Paradise, perfect obedience, unblem-
ished righteousness. The requirement under the covenant of
grace is just as broad as the requirement made in Eden—
harmony with God's law, which is holy, just, and good."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 391.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 518-523.
68
lie Requires Obedience
LESSON 8
❑
Friday
February 21
Part 6
"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and
EXPERIENCE
prayed, saying, 0 my Father, if it be possible, let this cup
OF JESUS
pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
"He went away again the second time, and prayed, say-
ing, 0 my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me,
except I drink it, thy will be done."
"And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the
third time, saying the same words." Matt. 26:39, 42, 44.
Jesus obeyed His heavenly Father just as He taught His
followers to obey Him. To obey the Father Jesus went through
agony and even came to the point of death in Gethsemane.
See
The Desire of Ages,
page 693. His Father's will meant
more to Jesus than His own existence.
"The words fall tremblingly from the pale lips of Jesus, '0
My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I
drink it, Thy will be done.'
"Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has
humanity shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now
the history of the human race comes up before the world's
Redeemer. He sees that the transgressors of the law, if left
to themselves, must perish. He sees the helplessness of man.
He sees the power of sin. The woes and lamentations of a
doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending fate,
and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to
Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him,
perishing millions may gain everlasting life. He has left the
courts of heaven, where all is purity, happiness, and glory, to
save the one lost sheep, the one world that has fallen by
transgression. And He will not turn from His mission. He will
become the propitiation of a race that has willed to sin. His
prayer now breathes only submission: 'If this cup may not
pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.'
"—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 690-693.
The whole life of Jesus had been one of obedience to the
Father, and the experiences of Gethsemane and then Calvary
tested the ultimacy of His commitment to the Father's will.
Nothing that Satan or man could do to Jesus could turn Him
from obedience to His Father.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I successfully endure all the trials that Satan and
people bring upon me?
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 687-694.
69
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Sustained
"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to
God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." Heb. 2:17.
Through the incarnation Jesus took upon Himself human nature. He was
born in human flesh with the weaknesses resident in human nature after cen-
turies in sin. "Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by
four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results
of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown
in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share
our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life."
—The Desire of Ages,
page 49.
This week's lesson differs from previous ones by being a presentation of
the way in which the Father was reflected in the life of Jesus. Usually during
the quarter we have been studying teachings and actions of Jesus that re-
flected the Father. What Jesus did for, or said to, people showed what the
Father was like. But this week we study a truth about God that Jesus made
known—a truth growing out of His own personal relationship with the Father.
Jesus was a human being, and we can learn what the Father is willing to do
for human beings who follow Jesus by seeing what He did for Jesus Himself.
Throughout His earthly life Jesus experienced much trouble—in His family,
from His friends, from the government, and from religious leaders. His troubles
did not come because God had forsaken Him; and the troubles of Christians
do not result because God forsakes them. His troubles came because He was
in the enemy's territory, as are we. Although Jesus was not spared from trouble,
His Father sustained Him in every difficulty. And so during this week we shall
study Jesus in the kinds of trouble we experience and see Him sustained by
the heavenly Father in the same way that the Father is willing to sustain trou-
bled Christians today.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
He Came to His Own, John 1:11
2.
Misunderstood Among the People, Matt. 11:19
3.
Family and Friends Opposed Him, John 7:5
4.
Accused of Blasphemy, John 10:33
5.
His Own Betrayed Him, Matt. 26:14, 15
6.
His Oneness With Father Sustained Him, John 10:30
LESSON 9
February 23-March 1
Jesus in Trouble
He Sustained Jesus in Trouble
LESSON 9
❑
Sunday
February 23
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not."
John 1:11.
Jesus did not come to this earth because the prospect of
the incarnation was filled with pleasure for Him. "When the
Lord of glory left his station of high command to become a
man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, accepting ignominy
and death in order to deliver man from the consequence of
his disobedience, he did not consult his own convenience or
pleasure."—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
Sept. 21, 1876.
He came because it was the only way of delivering man from
sin and death.
What Old Testament prophecies, for instance, did the
Jews misinterpret in order to prove that Jesus was not the
promised Messiah? Isa. 24:23; Ps. 72:8.
"Many who were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God
were misled by the false reasoning of the priests and rabbis.
. . . They made contemptuous comparisons between the glory
here pictured [in Isa. 24:33; Ps. 72:8] and the humble appear-
ance of Jesus. The very words of prophecy were so perverted
as to sanction error."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 458.
What did His own townspeople at Nazareth do when He
returned home for a visit? Luke 4:16, 28-30; cf. John 7:1.
"Across the bright days of Christ's ministry in Galilee, one
shadow lay. The people of Nazareth rejected Him. 'Is not this
the carpenter's son?' they said."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
236.
After Jesus had fed the five thousand and they were anx-
ious to proclaim Him king, what did Jesus do with the
excited crowd? Mark 6:46; cf. John 6:15.
"When Christ forbade the people to declare Him king, He
knew that a turning point in His history was reached. Multi-
tudes who desired to exalt Him to the throne today would turn
from Him tomorrow. The disappointment of their selfish ambi-
tion would turn their love to hatred, and their praise to curses.
Yet knowing this, He took no measures to avert the crisis."
—The Desire of Ages,
page 383.
THINK IT THROUGH
If you live in the country or in a small community where
people know you, how do your neighbors greet your return
after an absence?
"If men could have had the world with Christ, multitudes
would have proffered Him their allegiance; but such service
He could not accept."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 383.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 383, 384.
72
Part 1
HE CAME TO
HIS OWN
He Sustained Jesus in Trouble
LESSON 9
❑
Monday
February 24
Part 2
MISUNDERSTOOD
AMONG THE PEOPLE
In His eating habits, of what was Jesus accused by the
people?
"The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say,
Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of pub-
licans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."
Matt. 11:19.
John the Baptist had dressed very simply and had been
abstemious in his eating habits. His diet consisted of "locusts
and wild honey." Mark 1:6. The Jews, condemned by his sim-
ple eating habits, said he was devil possessed. See Matthew
11:18. When Jesus came and socialized over the well-spread
table, the same people showed their unreasonableness by ac-
cusing Him of gluttony.
Jesus was indeed a friend of publicans and sinners. "Our
Saviour never turned away from the truly penitent, no matter
how great their guilt."—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
Jan. 11, 1881. Wherever there was a receptive heart, Jesus
went irrespective of the criticism His enemies would bring
against Him. He did associate and eat with the publicans
and sinners. See Matt. 9:9 and Luke 19:5. The acceptance of
salvation by such justified His sociability.
How did some Jews impugn His integrity? John 7:12.
Being the truth personified (see John 14:6), Jesus was still
accused of deception. He was an honest person surrounded by
a people preponderantly false and deceptive. He was endeav-
oring to deliver them from the entanglements of dishonesty
and insincerity.
What did the apostle John, later in his book of Revelation,
repeatedly call Jesus? Rev. 3:14; 1:5; 19:11; 22:6.
In our- conversations we often use the phrases "I think," "I
believe," "I presume," since we are not absolutely sure whether
or not our report is true. Jesus does not employ these phrases;
He knows, and what He says is reliable and true and without
equivocation.
THINK IT THROUGH
How do I regard) the teachings of Jesus? Do I accept them
as completely true and valid, or do I also suggest that some
of what He says is not really so?
"The voice of the True Witness has been heard in reproof,
but has not been obeyed. Men have chosen to follow their own
way instead of God's way because self was not crucified in
them."—Testimonies,
Vol. 5, p. 720.
FURTHER STUDY
Counsels on Diet and Foods,
pages 53, 54.
73
He Sustained Jesus in Trouble
LESSON 9
❑
Tuesday
February
25
Part 3
FAMILY
AND FRIENDS
OPPOSED HIM
"For neither did his brethren believe in him." John 7:5.
His brothers did not accept Jesus as the promised Messiah,
but "from the day when she heard the angel's announcement
in the home at Nazareth Mary had treasured every evidence
that Jesus was the Messiah. His sweet, unselfish life assured
her that He could be no other than the Sent of God. Yet there
came to her also doubts and disappointments, and she had
longed for the time when His glory should be revealed."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 145.
What did His friends think of Him when they saw and
heard of His activities? Mark 3:21.
"The sons of Joseph were far from being in sympathy with
Jesus in His work. The reports that reached them in regard
to His life and labors filled them with astonishment and dismay.
They heard that He devoted entire nights to prayer, that through
the day He was thronged by great companies of people, and
did not give Himself time so much as to eat. His friends felt
that He was wearing Himself out by His incessant labor; they
were unable to account for His attitude toward the Pharisees,
and there were some who feared that His reason was becom-
ing unsettled."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 321.
"The enmity kindled in the human heart against the gospel
was keenly felt by the Son orGod, and it was most painful to
Him in His home; for His own heart was full of kindness and
love, and He appreciated tender regard in the family relation.
His brothers desired that He should concede to their ideas,
when such a course would have been utterly out of harmony
with His divine mission. They looked upon Him as in need of
their counsel."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 326.
THINK IT THROUGH
How would you react if your own brothers and sisters
and other relatives turned against you and thought you were
insane when you complied with God's will for you?
"What a support Christ would have found in His earthly
relatives if they had believed in Him as one from heaven, and
had co-operated with Him in doing the work of God! Their un-
belief cast a shadow over the earthly life of Jesus. It was a
part of the bitterness of that cup of woe which He drained for
us."—The Desire of Ages,
page 325.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 326, 327.
74
He Sustained Jesus in Trouble
LESSON 9
❑
Wednesday
February 26
Part 4
ACCUSED OF
BLASPHEMY
THINK IT THROUGH
"The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we
stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou,
being a man, makest thyself God." John 10:33.
Arrogating to oneself, or to man, powers, privileges, or pre-
rogatives that belong solely to God is blasphemy. Not knowing
that Jesus was God, or refusing to accept Him as God among
men, the Jews customarily accused Him of blasphemy when
He forgave sins (see Matt. 9:23; Luke 7:47-49) or claimed one-
ness or identity with His Father (see John 8:58, 59).
At the time of Jesus' trial before the high priest Caiaphas,
of what was Jesus again accused and why? Matt. 26:63-66.
Jesus was the Son of God, and He guarded His Father's
name and honor. But for confessing His relationship to His
Father He was repeatedly accused of blasphemy.
"This is one of the times when Christ publicly confessed
His claim to be the Messiah, the One for whom the Jews had
long looked. Weighted with such great results, it was to Christ
one of the most wonderful moments of His life. He realized
that all disguise must be swept away. The declaration that He
was one with God must be openly made. His judges looked
upon Him as only a man, and they thought Him guilty of
blasphemous presumption. But He proclaimed Himself as the
Son of God. He fully asserted His divine character before the
dignitaries who arraigned Him before their earthly tribunal. His
words, spoken calmly, yet with conscious power, showed that
He claimed for Himself the prerogatives of the Son of God."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5,
p. 1104.
What is my attitude toward Jesus when He speaks to me
in words of quiet authority because He is God?
"So perverted had the priesthood become that when Christ
declared Himself the Son of God, Caiaphas, in pretended hor-
ror, rent his robe, and accused the Holy One of Israel of
blasphemy.
"Many today who claim to be Christians are in danger of
rending their garments, making an outward show of repentance,
when their hearts are not softened nor subdued. This is why so
many continue to make failures in the Christian life. An out-
ward appearance of sorrow is shown for wrong, but their re-
pentance is not that which needs not to be repented of."—Ellen
G. White Comments,
SDA Bible
Commentary, Vol. 5, pp. 1104,
1105.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 704-708.
75
He Sustained Jesus in Trouble
LESSON 9
❑
Thursday
February
27
Part 5
HIS OWN
BETRAYED HIM
"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto
the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me,
and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with
him for thirty pieces of silver." Matt. 26:14, 15.
This meeting of Judas with the leaders of the Jews took
place after Jesus had tacitly rebuked Judas at the feast in
Simon's house. There He commended Mary for her generous
deed of anointing His feet with ointment after Judas had severely
censured her for what he considered a wasteful act. "The re-
proof rankled in his heart. He determined to be revenged. From
the supper he went directly to the palace of the high priest,
where he found the council assembled, and he offered to be-
tray Jesus into their hands."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 563,
564. Now it only remained for Judas to find a suitable place
and time to fulfill the agreement and deliver Jesus into their
hands. This he did in the Garden of Gethsemane. See Matt.
26:47-55.
What did all the disciples do after Judas had betrayed
their Master? Matt. 26:56.
Jesus in accordance with the prophecy was left to tread
the winepress alone. See Isa. 63:3. But this was not the first
time Jesus had felt lonely.
"The disciples were terrified as they saw Jesus permit Him-
self to be taken and bound. They were offended that He should
suffer this humiliation to Himself and them. They could not
understand His conduct, and they blamed Him for submitting
to the mob. In their indignation and fear, Peter proposed that
they save themselves. Following this suggestion, 'they all for-
sook Him, and fled.' But Christ had foretold this desertion.
'Behold,' He had said, 'the hour cometh, yea, is now come,
that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall
leave Me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father
is with Me.' John 16:32."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 697.
Which other disciple later denied His Master? Matt. 26:
69-75.
THINK IT THROUGH
In what ways do I also, through my acts and words, be-
tray and deny my Master?
"The loneliness of Christ, separated from the heavenly
courts, living the life of humanity, was- never understood or
appreciated by the disciples as it should have been."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 565.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 695-697.
76
He Sustained Jesus in Trouble
LESSON 9
❑
Friday
February
28
Part 6
HIS ONENESS WITH
FATHER SUS-
TAINED HIM
THINK IT THROUGH
"I and my Father are one." John 10:30.
"The Father and the Son each have a personality,"—Testi-
monies,
Vol. 9, p. 68, but Jesus was one with the Father "in
nature, in will, and in purpose."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 208.
From the preceding parts of this lesson it is evident that
Jesus often met disappointment and trouble. But in the expe-
rience of Jesus these did not result in discouragement. No
disappointment, no enmity, no trial—nothing—separated Jesus
from His Father. They were one "in nature, in will, and in
purpose."
"As the world's Redeemer, Christ was constantly confronted
with apparent failure. He, the messenger of mercy to our world,
seemed to do little of the work He longed to do in uplifting and
saving. Satanic influences were constantly working to oppose
His way. But He would not be discouraged."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 678.
Even when His earthly mission was nearly complete, what
did His disciples still fail to understand? Acts 1:6; cf. Matt.
16:21; 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34.
"Just before leaving His disciples, Christ once more plainly
stated the nature of His kingdom. He recalled to their remem-
brance things He had previously told them regarding it. He
declared that it was not His purpose to establish in this world
a temporal kingdom. He was not appointed to reign as an
earthly monarch on David's throne."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 30.
How was it possible for Jesus to bear up amid this con-
stant loneliness when no one, not even His disciples, under-
stood Him? Isa. 26:3; 48:18; Ps. 119:165.
Jesus was constantly misunderstood by His friends; His
enemies impugned His motives. Still He possessed complete
peace of mind. The secret of this repose of mind amid con-
stant conflicts was His undisturbed unity, or oneness, with His
Father.
Have I cultivated such a friendship and intimacy with God
'that I can, like Jesus, be sustained by Him when all others
forsake me?
"Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that
men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity
is that which all His followers may possess, if they will be in
subjection to God as He was."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 664.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of
Ages,
pages 486, 663, 664.
77
t
LESSON 10
March 2-8
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Heals People
"And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a
physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance." Luke 5:31, 32.
"It was generally believed by the Jews that sin is punished in this life. Every
affliction was regarded as the penalty of some wrongdoing, either of the suf-
ferer himself or of his parents. It is true that all suffering results from the
transgression of God's law, but this truth had become perverted."—The
Desire
of Ages,
page 471.
Although illness and suffering are the results of sin, they are often not the
results of personal sin or wrongdoing. Rather they are the cumulative results
of the sins of mankind.
As Jesus came to take away sin, so He also came to eliminate the results of
sin. He came as a physician to heal the maladies of men. The scope of His
healing ministry embraced both the physical and the spiritual.
"Christ was bound up in all branches of the work. He did not make any
division. He did not feel that He was infringing on physicians when He healed
the sick. He proclaimed the truth, and when the sick came to Him for healing,
He asked them if they believed that He could make them whole. He was just
as ready to lay His hands on the sick and afflicted as He was to preach the
gospel. He was just as much at home in this work as in proclaiming the truth;
for healing the sick is a part of the gospel."—Medical
Ministry,
pages 237, 238.
Thus Jesus showed to the world that the Father is not the source of illness
and suffering. He desires the health of every person.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Health—God's Intention, 3 John 2
2.
Nobleman's Son Healed, John 4:46, 47
3.
Boy Below Mount of Transfiguration, Mark 9:17, 18
4.
Infirm Woman, Luke 13:11-13
5.
The Gadarene Demoniacs, Mark 5:1-3
6.
The Man at the Pool of Bethesda, John 5:2-9
79
N STEEL, ARTIST,
PPPA
He Heals People
LESSON 10
❑
Sunday
March 2
Part 1
HEALTH—GOD'S
INTENTION
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper
and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2.
"When one recovers from disease, it is God who restores
him.
"Sickness, suffering, and death are work of an antagonistic
poviier. Satan is the destroyer; God is the restorer."—The
Min-
istry of Healing,
page 113.
What was God's ideal plan for His people in Old Testa-
ment times? Ex. 15:26; 23:25; Deut. 7:15.
Many people erroneously differentiate—between Jesus and
the God of the Old Testament. In many instances God, or the
Lord of the Old Testament, was Jesus personally. Where this
is not the case, it is well to remember that although God the
Father and God the Son are different persons, They are one
in plans, purposes, and motives. See
The Desire of Ages,
page
208.
"Christ had been the guide and teacher of ancient Israel,
and He taught them that health is the reward of obedience to
the laws of God. The Great Physician who healed the sick in
Palestine had spoken to His people from the pillar of cloud,
telling them what they must do, and what God would do for
them. 'If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord
thy God,' He said, 'and wilt do that which is right in His sight,
and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His
statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which
I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that
healeth thee.' Ex. 15:26. Christ gave to Israel definite instruc-
tion in regard to their habits of life, and He assured them, 'The
Lord will take away from thee all sickness.' Deut. 7:15. When
they fulfilled the conditions, the promise was verified to them.
'There was not one feeble person among their tribes.' Ps.
105:37."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 824.
THINK IT THROUGH
The laws of health are the laws of God.
"These lessons are for us. There are conditions to be ob-
served by all who would preserve health. All should learn what
these conditions are. The Lord is not pleased with ignorance
in regard to His laws, either natural or spiritual. We are to be
workers together with God for the restoration of health to the
body as well as to the soul."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 824.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 824, 825.
80
He Heals People
LESSON 10
❑
Monday
March 3
Part 2
NOBLEMAN'S
SON HEALED
What did a certain nobleman ask Jesus to do?
"When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into
Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would
come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of
death." John 4:47.
How did Jesus counter his request? John 4:48.
"Notwithstanding all the evidence that Jesus was the Christ,
the petitioner had determined to make his belief in Him con-
ditional on the granting of his own request....
"Yet the nobleman had a degree of faith; for he had come
to ask what seemed to him the most precious of all blessings.
Jesus had a greater gift to bestow. He desired, not only to
heal the child, but to make,, the officer and his household
sharers in the blessings of salvation, and to kindle a light in
Capernaum, which was so soon to be the field of His own
labors. But the nobleman must realize his need before he
would desire the grace of Christ."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
198.
Realizing that his son's life was at stake due to his own
wavering faith, what was the nobleman's further request?
John 4:49.
"Like a flash of light, the Saviour's words to the nobleman
laid bare his heart. He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus
were selfish. His vacillating faith appeared to him in its true
character. In deep distress he realized that his doubt might
cost the life of his son. He knew that he was in the presence
of One who could read the thoughts, and to whom all things
were possible. In an agony of supplication he cried, 'Sir, come
down ere my child die.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 198.
What was Jesus' response to his cry of faith? John 4:50.
"His faith took hold upon Christ as did Jacob, when, wres-
tling with the Angel, he cried, 'I will not let Thee go, except
Thou bless me.' Gen. 32:26."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 198.
THINK IT THROUGH
Do I at times make my belief in God dependent on the
fulfillment of certain requests? What is wrong with such an
attitude?
"The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to
Him, pleading its great need."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 198.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 197-200.
81
He Heals People
LESSON 10
Tuesday
March 4
Part 3
BOY BELOW
MOUNT OF
TRANSFIGURATION
THINK IT THROUGH
"And one of the multitude answered and said, Master,
have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he
foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and
I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and
they could not." Mark 9:17, 18.
"Authority over unclean spirits, to call them out, had been
conferred on the disciples when Jesus sent out the twelve to
preach through Galilee."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 427. But
on this occasion, because of their unbelief, the disciples were
unable to exorcise the evil spirit despite the Master's confer-
ment of power.
The boy's father, noticing the inability of the disciples to
drive out the evil spirit from his boy, was prone to believe that
Jesus Himself would be unable to cure his son. Nevertheless,
he brought him to Jesus and said, "If thou canst do any thing,
have compassion on us, and help us." Mark 9:22.
Upon what did Jesus make the boy's healing dependent?
Mark 9:23.
What was the father's desperately earnest response to
Jesus' disclosure? Mark 9:24.
The father threw himself fully upon the mercy of Jesus, con-
fessing his weakness and helplessness, but pleading with Jesus
to supply his need of faith.
On this particular occasion who manifested more faith—
the nine disciples below the mountain or the father of the
sick boy?
"The selection of the three disciples to accompany Jesus
to the mountain had excited the jealousy of the nine. Instead
of strengthening their faith by prayer and meditation on the
words of Christ, they had been dwelling on their discourage-
ments and personal grievances. In this state of darkness they
had undertaken the conflict with Satan.
"In order to succeed in such a conflict they must come to
the work in a different spirit. Their faith must be strengthened
by fervent prayer and fasting, and humiliation of heart. They
must be emptied of self, and be filled with the Spirit and power
of God. Earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith—
faith that leads to entire dependence upon God, and unre-
served consecration to His work—can alone avail to bring
men the Holy Spirit's aid in battle against 'principalities and
powers."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 431.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 426-431.
82
He Heals People
LESSON 10
❑
Wednesday
March 5
Part 4
INFIRM WOMAN
THINK IT THROUGH
"And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of
infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could
in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called
her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from
thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immedi-
ately she was made straight, and glorified God." Luke
13:11-13.
In this instance of healing there is no mention that the
woman requested Jesus to heal her, but Jesus noticed her
infirmity and wanted to heal her. This is the character of Jesus
and also of the Father.
The compassion of Jesus was touched by illness and defor-
mity. He delighted in setting men and women free from Satan's
bonds, as He set this woman free. See verse 16. During His
public ministry "He went about doing good, and healing all
that were oppressed by Satan. About them were whole villages
where there was not a moan of sickness in any house; for He
had passed through them, and healed all their sick."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 241.
Yet His compassion sought more than physical care; He
longed to cure the soul and enable the person restored to
health to see and acknowledge God as Lord of life and Jesus
as Saviour from sin.
What was the woman's response to her miraculous heal-
ing? Luke 13:13.
Her cure was complete. Deliverance from physical malady
turned her eyes and attention to God, whom she now glorified.
She wanted to serve Him in her new-found health. This woman
through her healing "was made straight" not merely in body
but also in soul.
Jesus called her "a daughter of Abraham." Verse 16. To a
Jew that was tantamount to being called a "child of heaven."
All of us likewise were created to be children of heaven and
of God, not children of sin and of Satan.
How do I use my health—to serve sin and Satan or to
glorify God?
"Health is a treasure. Of all temporal possession it is the
most precious. Wealth, learning, and honor are dearly pur-
chased at the loss of the vigor of health. None of these can
secure happiness, if health is lacking. It is a terrible sin to
abuse the health that God has given
us."—Counsels on Diet
and Foods,
page 20.
FURTHER STUDY
Counsels on Health,
pages 504, 505.
83
He Heals People
LESSON 10
❑
Thursday
March 6
Part 5
THE GADAREHE
DEMON IACS
"And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into
the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out
of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a
man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the
tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains."
Mark 5:1-3.
Read also Matthew 8:28-34 and Luke 8:26-39.
Matthew, undoubtedly an eyewitness to this event, mentions
two men, while Mark and Luke speak of only one. Probably
one of the demoniacs had been reported to them as being
outrageously savage and fierce.
Even though demon-possessed, what did the man appar-
ently faintly realize and desire to do; but what words came
from his lips? Mark 5:6, 7.
What command did Jesus give to the demons, and what
was the effect? Mark 5:8, 13.
"With authority He bade the unclean spirits come out of
them. His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfor-
tunate men. They realized dimly that One was near who could
save them from the tormenting demons. They fell at the Sav-
iour's feet to worship Him."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 337,
338.
After the men had been delivered from demon possession,
what did they desire to do and what was Jesus' advice to
them? Mark 5:18-20.
"As
Jesus was about to enter the boat, they kept close to
His side, knelt at His feet, and begged Him to keep them near
Him, where they might ever listen to His words. But Jesus
bade them go home and tell what great things the Lord had
done for them."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 339.
THINK IT THROUGH
Consider the cost of 2,000 swine sacrificed for the con-
version of two poor men. What do you conclude?
"The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries
whom Christ sent to preach the gospel in the region of Decap-
olis. . . . They bore in their own persons the evidence that
Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they knew; what
they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the power of
Christ. This is what everyone can do whose heart has been
touched by the grace of God."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 340.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 337-341.
84
He Heals People
LESSON 10
❑
Friday
March 7
Part 6
Read John 5:2-9.
MAN AT THE POOL
Jesus healed the man who had been ill thirty-eight years.
OF BETHESDA
When the man carried his bed on the Sabbath, Jesus was
brought into conflict with the religious leaders. Some of the
statements Jesus made during this conflict present thoughts
that advance the central concept of this week's lesson.
Who had healed the sick man? John 5:17.
What was the relation between Jesus and His Father in
healing this man? John 5:19.
Jesus' act of healing was really the act of the heavenly
Father. As Jesus desired the health of those about Him, so
the Father desires the health of the people of this world. He
is a sympathetic healer and never the cause of people's ill-
nesses. If we would understand the relation of the heavenly
Father to disease, we must see Jesus in His healing ministry.
The following quotation from Ellen G. White has reference to
the things of nature and not specifically to human disease and
health, but the principles expressed are applicable to man
and his illness.
"The God of nature is perpetually at work. His infinite
power works unseen, but manifestations appear in the effects
which the work produces. The same God who guides the
planets works in the
.
fruit orchard and in the vegetable garden.
He never made a thorn, a thistle, or a tare. These are Satan's
work, the result of degeneration, introduced by him among the
precious things; but it is through God's immediate agency that
every bud bursts into blossom. When He was in the world in
the form of humanity, Christ said: 'My Father worketh hitherto,
and I work.* John
5:17."—Testimonies,
Vol. 6, pp. 186, 187.
THINK IT THROUGH
If God desires the health of all, why are not all well?
"There are cases where God works decidedly by His divine
power in the restoration of health. But not all the sick are
healed. Many are laid away to sleep in Jesus. John on the
Isle of Patmos was bidden to write: 'Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit,
that they may rest from their labors; and their works do fol-
low them.' Revelation 14:13. From this we see that if persons
are not raised to health, they should not on this account be
judged as wanting in faith.
"We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers,
and are tempted to become discouraged when the answer is
delayed or comes in an unlooked-for form. But God is too
wise and good to answer our prayers always at just the time
and in just the manner we desire. He will do more and better
for us than to accomplish all our wishes."—The
Ministry of
Healing,
pages 230, 231.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 202, 203.
85
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men." Phil. 2:6, 7.
"God gave His Son to die for sinful human beings a death of ignominy and
shame. He who was Commander in the heavenly courts laid aside His royal
robe and kingly crown, and clothing His divinity with humanity, came to this
world to stand at the head of the human race, as the pattern-man. He humbled
Himself to suffer with the race, to be afflicted in all their afflictions.
"The whole world was His, but so completely did He empty Himself that
during His ministry He declared, 'Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air
have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.' "—Ellen G.
White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7, p. 904.
Self-denial by the Godhead had a broader significance even than being a
means of helping man. Ellen White wrote: "The victory gained at His death on
Calvary broke forever the accusing power of Satan over the universe, and
silenced his charges that self-denial was impossible with God and therefore not
essential in the human family."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Com-
mentary,
Vol. 7, p. 974.
"He [Satan] had accused God of seeking merely the exaltation of Himself
in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, and had declared
that, while the Creator exacted self-denial from all others, He Himself practiced
no self-denial and made no sacrifice. Now it was seen that for the salvation
of a fallen and sinful race, the Ruler of the universe had made the greatest
sacrifice which love could make; for 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world
unto Himself.' 2 Corinthians 5:19. It was seen, also, that while Lucifer had
opened the door for the entrance of sin by his desire for honor and supremacy,
Christ had, in order to destroy sin, humbled Himself and become obedient
unto death."—The
Great Controversy,
page 502.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Jesus Relinquished Equality With God, Phil. 2:6, 7
2.
Jesus Came as a Servant, Mark 10:45
3.
Jesus Served at Lord's Supper, John 13:3-5
4.
Jesus Came to Die for Man, Heb. 10:7
5.
Jesus' Death, Luke 23:46
6.
God Was in Christ, 2 Cor. 5:18, 19
86
EDELFELT, ARTIST, KEY ST
He Is Self-denying
LESSON 11
❑
Sunday
March 9
Part 1
JESUS RELIN-
QUISHED EQUALITY
WITH GOD
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
88
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and
took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men." Phil. 2:6, 7.
"God is love." 1 John 4:8. "Infinite love—how great it is!
God made the world to enlarge heaven. He desires a larger
family of created intelligences."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 1,
p.
1081.
When His plan for man's happiness miscarried through
Satan's deception and man's fall, God did not rest passively.
The second Person in the Godhead decided to go in search
of man.
To what depth of ignominy did He stoop to rescue man
from his pit of degradation and misery and restore him to
his pristine position? Phil. 2:8.
"Jesus' obedience was rendered to the extent of laying
down His life. It was humiliation indeed for God to become
man; and then, being man, to die a shameful death on the
cross....
"The emphasis is not only on the fact that Christ died but
on the kind of death. It was a death that involved intense
shame as well as intense suffering. Crucifixion was reserved
for slaves, non-Romans, and the lowest criminals. It was a
death upon which the law of Moses had pronounced a curse
(Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13), and even the Gentiles considered it
the most foul and cruel of all punishments. The message of
a crucified Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews and
foolishness to the Greeks (1 Cor. 1:23)."—SDA
Bible Com-
mentary,
on Phil. 2:8.
To what extent of self-denial am 1 willing to go to save
a soul for God's kingdom?
"Laying aside his royal robe and kingly crown, Christ clothed
His divinity with humanity, that human beings might be raised
from their degradation, and placed on vantage-ground. Christ
could not have come to this earth with the glory that he had
in the heavenly courts. Sinful human beings could not have
borne the sight. He veiled His divinity with the garb of hu-
manity, but he did not part with his divinity. A divine-human
Saviour, he came to stand at the head of the fallen race, to
share in their experience from childhood to manhood. That
human beings might be partakers of the divine nature, he came
to this earth, and lived a life of perfect obedience."—Ellen
G. White,
Review and Herald,
June 15, 1905.
The Story of Redemption,
pages 42-45.
He Is Self-denying
LESSON 11
❑
Monday
March 10
Part 2
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
JESUS CAME AS
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
A SERVANT
Mark 10:45.
In heaven Jesus was the ruler of the heavenly host. All
power and all majesty were His. It was the greatest joy of un-
fallen angels to execute His every bidding and wish. Daily fel-
lowship with His Father was His joy and delight.
In coming to this earth Jesus left all this. He came to work
out man's salvation through arduous toil.
"Jesus was a silent and unselfish worker. He did not seek
fame, riches, or applause; neither did he consult his own ease
and pleasure. When the day's labor was done, and he had
dismissed his disciples that they might seek needed rest, he
often retired to the lonely mountain or the silent grove, and
spent the night in prayer, offering up his petitions with strong
crying and tears. Not for himself were those vigils kept, but for
those he came to save. He was standing between the. living
and the dead."—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
Jan. 6,
1885.
How does Christ's pattern of greatness differ from that
common in the world? Mark 10:42-44; cf. Luke 22:25-27.
"On earth, men in positions of authority tend to 'lord it over'
those under them. But among the citizens of the heavenly
kingdom, power, position, talent, and education are to be de-
voted exclusively to serving others, and may never be used
as levers to lord it over others. . . .
"He who is greatest will serve others most unselfishly. Ap-
parently, the approval of Jesus tests upon the desire to 'be
great' in terms of serving instead of dominating:"—SDA
Bible
Commentary,
on Matt. 20:26.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is my concept of greatness? Do I use the scale of
the world or that of God when I think of it?
"If intellectual greatness, apart from any higher considera-
tion, is worthy of honor, then our homage is due to Satan,
whose intellectual power no man has ever equaled. But when
perverted to self-serving, the greater the gift, the greater
curse it becomes. It is moral worth that God values. Love and
purity are the attributes He prizes most. John was great in the
sight of the Lord, when, before the messengers from the San-
hedrin, before the people, and before his own disciples, he
refrained from seeking honor for himself, but pointed all to
Jesus as the Promised One. His unselfish joy in the ministry
of Christ presents the highest type of nobility ever revealed
in
man."—The Desire of Ages,
page 219.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
page 437.
89
He Is Self-denying
LESSON 11
❑
Tuesday
March11
Part 3
JESUS SERVED AT
LORD'S SUPPER
"Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into
his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to
God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and
took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water
into a boson, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to
wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." John
13:3-5.
At the Passover service Jesus aptly illustrated His teachings
about true greatness. Prior to this Jesus had told them that
He had come in among them as a servant rather than as a
master. But this may have been difficult for the disciples to
visualize. After all, He was still their Master, and they were
obviously servants. It was they who had arranged the people
at the feeding of the five thousand and of the four thousand
and had distributed the bread and fish to the crowds. But at
the Passover meal Jesus verily assumed a servant's position
by washing their feet. This menial act they all understood as
a servant's part.
What was Peter's reaction to his Master's humble posi-
tion as a servant among them? John 13:6, 8.
"As the disciples watched Christ's action, they were greatly
moved. When Peter's turn came, he exclaimed with astonish-
ment, 'Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?' Christ's condescension
broke his heart.
He
was filled with shame to think that one
of the disciples was not performing this service. 'What I do,'
Christ said, 'thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know here-
after.' Peter could not bear to see his Lord, whom he believed
to be the Son of God, acting the part of a servant. His whole
soul rose up against this humiliation. He did not realize that
for this Christ came into the world. With great emphasis he
exclaimed, 'Thou shalt never wash my feet.'
"—The Desire of
Ages,
pages 645, 646.
THINK IT THROUGH
Am I, as a follower of Jesus, willing to serve humbly in
any capacity, or am I eagerly looking and campaigning for
positions of authority where I can tell others what to do?
"In His life and lessons, Christ has given a perfect exemplifi-
cation of the unselfish ministry which has its origin in God.
God does not live for Himself. By creating the world, and by
upholding all things, He is constantly ministering for others."
—The Desire of Ages,
page 649.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 646-649.
90
He Is Self-denying
LESSON 11
❑
Wednesday
March12
Part 4
"Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it
JESUS CAME TO
is written of me,) to do thy will, 0 God." Heb. 10:7.
DIE FOR MAN
This was the ready response of Jesus, the second Person
in the Godhead, to execute the plan of salvation. "Nearly two
thousand years ago, a voice of mysterious import was heard
in heaven, from the throne of God, 'Lo, I come.' Sacrifice and
offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared
Me. . . . Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written
of Me,) to do Thy will, 0 God.' Heb. 10:5-7. In these words is
announced the fulfillment of the purpose that had been hidden
from eternal ages. Christ was about to visit our world, and to
become incarnate."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 23.
What impelled Jesus to go on a mission that would ulti-
mately demand His life? Isa. 53:11.
The thoughts and attention of Jesus as He undertook His
descent to this earth were not focused on the arduous work
and gruesome suffering He would have to endure. He looked
beyond the immediate and visualized the reward of His labors
at the fulfillment of the plan of salvation. In this way He en-
dured with fortitude the adversities and the trials.
"What sustained the Son of God during His life of toil and
sacrifice? He saw the results of the travail of His soul and
was satisfied. Looking into eternity, He beheld the happiness
of those who through His humiliation had received pardon and
everlasting life. His ear caught the shout of the redeemed. He
heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the
Lamb."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 601.
THINK IT THROUGH
Where is our attention generally focused—on the poisible
present trials or on the victory and glory at the end of life's
sojourn?
"Christ can look upon the misery of the world without a
shade of sorrow for having created man. In the human heart
He sees more than sin, more than misery. In His infinite wis-
dom and love He sees man's possibilities, the height to which
he may attain. He knows that, even though human beings
have abused their mercies and destroyed their God-given
dignity, yet the Creator is to be glorified in their redemption."
—Testimonies,
Vol. 7, p. 269.
"If but one soul would have accepted the gospel of His
grace, Christ would, to save that one, have chosen His life
of toil and humiliation and His death of shame. If through our
efforts one human being shall be uplifted and ennobled, fitted
to shine in the courts of the Lord, have we not cause for re-
joicing?"—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 135.
FURTHER STUDY
The Ministry of Healing,
page 504.
91
He Is Self-denying
LESSON 11
❑
Thursday
March13
Part 5
"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said,
JESUS' DEATH
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said
thus, he gave up the ghost." Luke 23:46.
Read also Matthew 27:46, 50.
Jesus had come to do His Father's will. It was God's will
—the will of God the Father, God the Son, and Go
\
Id the Holy
Spirit—that Jesus die in man's stead. There was no escape.
Someone had to die for the departure from God's will. For
repentant man to be entitled to live, Jesus must take his place.
What did the Jewish priests and leaders mockingly say
that Jesus was unable to do? Mark 15:31.
' Jesus could not save Himself and us also. He could have
saved Himself only at the cost of leaving us, or man, in the
lurch. He could not save both. One must die. He chose to die
that we might be saved. The priests were unwittingly proclaim-
ing the truth about Jesus' situation.
"Save
yourself, He cannot save himself—has
great interest
as being a judgment in the only terms these people knew, self-
preservation. They could not conceive of any other than the
selfish motive of saving oneself. The only test they knew of
life was whether it worked out to the gain of self. They could
not conceive the supreme success of losing it in sacrifice, of
giving it as ransom, of being unable to save self just because
others were being saved by that very inability. So on that
basis they said, 'You see, the fool was wrong. He could not
save himself.'
"People who have only one small yardstick with which to
measure life are always scornful of the Christian gospel and
the Christian faith. Weighed on the scale of 'miserable aims
that end in self,' the teaching of Jesus is found wanting. It does
not work for self-aggrandizement or self-saving. It brings a
new measurement. God weighs life on a different scale."—
The Interpreter's Bible,
Vol. 7, p. 906.
THINK IT THROUGH
By what scale do I measure success?
"Jesus, suffering and dying, heard every word as the priests
declared, 'He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ
the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may
see and believe.' Christ could have come down from the cross.
But it is because He would not save Himself that the sinner
has hope of pardon and favor with God."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 749.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 746-749.
92
He Is Self-denying
LESSON 11
❑
Friday
March 14
Part 6
GOD WAS
IN CHRIST
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to
himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry
of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling
the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
2 Cor. 5:18, 19.
In the work of redeeming man, Jesus, the second Person in
the Godhead, was not alone. The plan of salvation, or the
work of atonement was a joint enterprise on the part of the
three Persons in the Godhead. But in the divine economy
Jesus was chosen to come to this earth as our Redeemer.
Colossians 1:20-23, NEB, well expresses it in these words:
"Through him God chose to reconcile the whole universe to
himself, making peace through the shedding of his blood upon
the cross—to reconcile all things, whether on earth or in
heaven, through him alone. . . . This is the gospel which has
been proclaimed in the whole creation under heaven."
"All heaven suffered in Christ's agony; but that suffering
did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The
cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from
its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God. Every
departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure
of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to
Him."—Educa-
tion,
page 263.
How did the heavens express their shame and sorrow at
the gruesome spectacle of seeing their Creator die? Matt.
27:45.
"With amazement angels witnessed the Saviour's despair-
ing agony. The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the
fearful sight. Inanimate nature expressed sympathy with its
insulted and dying Author. The sun refused to look upon the
awful scene. Its full, bright rays were illuminating the earth
at midday, when suddenly it seemed to be blotted out."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 753.
THINK IT THROUGH
Do I appreciate Christ's salvation as I ought, or do I fail
to do so since I do not realize its costliness?
"Through Jesus, God's mercy was manifested to men; but
mercy does not set aside justice. The law reveals the attributes
of God's character, and not a jot or tittle of it could be changed
to meet man in his fallen condition. God did not change His
law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man's redemption.
'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.' 2 Cor.
5:19."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 762.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 753-757, 761.
93
"As regards our responsibility and influence, we
are amenable to God as deriving our life from
Him. This we do not obtain from humanity,
but from God only. We are His by creation and
by redemption. . . . He is caring for us every
moment; He keeps the living machinery in ac-
tion; if we are left to run it for one moment, we
should die. We are absolutely dependent upon
God."
—Testimonies to Ministers,
pages 422, 423.
LESSON OUTLINE
I. Jesus Is Life, John 5:26; 1:4
2.
Jesus Restored Physical Life, Luke 7:12-15; John 11:43, 44
3.
Jesus Came to Offer Us Life, John 10:10
4.
Eternal Life, Ours in Christ, John 10:27, 28
5.
We Accept Jesus Through His Word, John 6:63
6.
Jesus and Father Are One, John 10:30
LESSON 12
March 16-22
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Gives Life
"And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak
therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." John 12:50.
Both Jesus and the Father desire that man shall have eternal life. The Father,
is not a hard-hearted judge who must be persuaded by Jesus to give eternal
life to the believer. Rather, Jesus indicated in the above verse that the ever-
lasting life of the believer was the commandment of the Father. The instances
in which Jesus raised dead persons to life reflect to us the attitude of the
heavenly Father toward the dead. He desires men to be alive and not dead,
and He has promised eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. The fear of
death is a symptom of a lack of faith. This lack of faith can be either a doubt
of God's power to restore one to life, or a lack of faith in Jesus for the cleansing
from sin by which eternal life is conferred.
Our faith in the heavenly Father can be strengthened by a correct under-
standing of the Bible and by grasping the significance of the teachings and
acts of Jesus. "The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a
state of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand
times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy intelligences, all wait-
ing to do His will. Through channels which we cannot discern He is in active
communication with every part of His dominion. But it is in this speck of a world,
in the souls that He gave His only-begotten Son to save, that His interest and
the interest of all heaven is centered. God is bending from His throne to hear
the cry of the oppressed. To every sincere prayer He answers, 'Here am I.' He
uplifts the distressed and downtrodden. In all our afflictions He is afflicted. In
every temptation and every trial the angel of His pre
.
sence is near to deliver.
"Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father's notice. Satan's
hatred against God leads him to hate every object of the Saviour's care. He
seeks to mar the handiwork of God, and he delights in destroying even the
dumb creatures. It is only through God's protecting care that the birds are
preserved to gladden us with their songs of joy. But He does not forget even
the sparrows. 'Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.' "
—The Desire of Ages,
pages 356, 357.
95
He Gives Life
LESSON 12
❑
Sunday
March 16
Part 1
"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given
JESUS IS LIFE
to the Son to have life in himself."
"In him [Jesus] was life; and the life was the light of
men." John 5:26; 1:4.
See also John 14:6; 11:25.
In speaking about man we may correctly say that he has
life. There are dead men as well as living men. This signifies
that a man may possess life, while another man may be dead
or no longer possess life. In speaking about God and Jesus,
it is more correct to say
They are life.
In the Old Testament,
when Moses asked God at the time of the Exodus what His
name was and how he might introduce Him to the Israelites,
"God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me
unto you." Ex. 3:14. This expresses the nature of His existence
—He has life in and of Himself.
What words did Jesus use in His dispute with the Jews
that hint that He did not merely possess life, as they did
then, but was the source of life? John 8:58.
"The name of God, given to Moses to express the idea of
the eternal presence, had been claimed as His own by this
Galilean Rabbi. He had announced Himself to be the self-
existent One, He who had been promised to Israel, 'whose
goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity.'
Micah 5:2, margin."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 469, 470.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I increase my faith in Jesus as the source of life?
"The divinity of Christ is the believer's assurance of eternal
life."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 530.
" 'I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly.' John 10:10. This life is what we
must have, and we must have it
more abundantly.
God will
breathe this life into every soul that dies to self and lives to
Christ. But entire self-renunciation is required. Unless this takes
place, we carry with us the evil that destroys our happiness.
But when self is crucified, Christ lives in us, and the power of
the Spirit attends our efforts."—Our
High Calling,
page 21.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 469, 470.
96
He Gives Life
LESSON 12
❑
Monday
March17
Part 2
JESUS RESTORED
PHYSICAL LIFE
"Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city [Hain],
behold, there was a dead man carried out. . . . And he came
and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And
he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that
was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him
to his mother." Luke 7:12-15.
"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud
voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth,
bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was
bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose
him, and let him go." John 11:43, 44.
Read also Luke 8:49-55.
On these occasions Jesus restored physical life. But Jesus
would like us to envision more than life on this earth. The
three persons raised from the dead by Jesus rose only to die
again. It is His purpose that man shall live not only for time
but for eternity.
Jesus was, or rather is, life. No death could enter where
Jesus was present in person. "Had Christ been in the sick-
room, Lazarus would not have died; for Satan would have
had no power over him. Death could not have aimed his dart
at Lazarus in the presence of the Life-giver."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 528.
What did Jesus assure Martha that He is? John 11:25.
On another occasion what did Jesus also declare that He
is? John 14:6.
As Christians we should aim to live for eternity and at the
same time be a means of preservation of men's physical life.
Daniel filled such a mission among the magicians of Babylon.
See Dan. 2:24. Paul on board ship for Rome did likewise. See
Acts 27:23, 24, 37, 44. But we should go beyond the preserva-
tion of physical life and become instrumental in saving men
also for eternity.
THINK IT THROUGH
Am I living so close to God that I may be instrumental
in saving some from physical death as did Daniel and Paul?
Remember that Jonah's presence among the mariners nearly
caused their death. See Jonah 1:14-16.
"The cry of Christ to the thirsty soul is still going forth, and
it appeals to us with even greater power than to those who
heard it in the temple on that last day of the feast. The foun-
tain is open for all. The weary and exhausted ones are offered
the refreshing draught of eternal life."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 454.
FURTHER STUDY
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
on Matt. 5:30, pages
60-63.
97
He Gives Life
LESSON 12
❑
Tuesday
March I8
Part 3
"I am come that they might have life, and that they
JESUS CAME TO
might have it more abundantly." John 10:10.
OFFER US LIFE
Were Adam and Eve created mortal or immortal? Gen.
2:16, 17.
In the beginning God gave life to Adam and Eve. It was not
immortal life, but conditional immortality.
How can sinful man regain the eternal life he forfeited?
John 3:15, 16.
Our physical life is a gift of God. "His energy is still exerted
in upholding the objects of His creation. It is not because the
mechanism that has once been set in motion continues to act
by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats and breath
follows breath; but every breath, every pulsation of the heart,
is an evidence of the all-pervading care of Him in whom 'we
live, and move, and have our being.' Acts
17:28."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 115.
" 'Life' includes the physical, intellectual, and spiritual.
Physical life is regarded as abundant in a body that is full of
vigor and in perfect health. Jesus' miracles of physical healing
gave an abundant physical life to those whose life forces were
ebbing. But physical restoration was by no means the complete
fulfillment of Jesus' mission. Man also has intellectual and
spiritual life, which must also be made alive and abundant,
for 'man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord' (Deut. 8:3). Important
as the physical and the intellectual aspects of a well-rounded
life are, no life is fully complete unless the spiritual nature is
nurtured."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on John 10:10.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the Biblical distinction between being alive and
having eternal life? See John 6:54.
"The sapless branch, ingrafted into the living vine, becomes
a part of the vine. It lives while united to the vine. So the
Christian lives by virtue of his union with Christ. The sinful
and human is linked to the holy and divine. The believing soul
abides in Christ, and becomes one with Him. When persons
are closely united in the relations of this life, their tastes be-
come similar, they come to love the same things. So those
who abide in Christ will love the things which He loves. They
will sacredly cherish and obey His commandments."—Our
High
Calling,
page 145.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 786, 787.
98
He Gives Life
LESSON 12
❑
Wednesday
March 19
Part 4
ETERNAL LIFE,
OURS IN CHRIST
THINK IT THROUGH
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they fol-
low me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall
never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my
hand." John 10:27, 28.
"Life.
zde, here used in its theological sense, equivalent to
eternal life. When Adam and Eve were created they possessed
zee,
but lost it when they sinned. True, their physical life was
extended, but they were no longer conditionally immortal. . . .
Jesus came to restore the
zoe
that Adam had forfeited."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on John 10:10.
Jesus came that we might have life and that we "might
have it more abundantly"—life, not merely this present life,
but the eternal life that God originally purposed that man
should enjoy.
Eternal life is represented in the Bible as "being granted to
the believer at the moment he accepts his Lord (1 John 3:14;
5:11, 12; cf. DA 388). This gift the overcomer never loses.
Physical dissolution at death and the state of unconsciousness
between death and the resurrection do not deprive him of the
gift. His life continues to be 'hid with Christ in God' (Col. 3:3)
to be translated into glorious immortality on the resurrection
morn."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on John 8:51.
How only can this eternal life be obtained? John 3:3-7.
In commenting upon Jesus' words to Nicodemus that he
"must be born again," E. G. White says: "Nicodemus had come
to the Lord thinking to enter into a discussion with Him, but
Jesus laid bare the foundation principles of truth. He said to
Nicodemus, It is not theoretical knowledge you need so much
as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have your curiosity
satisfied, but to have a new heart. You must receive a new
life from above before you can appreciate heavenly things.
Until this change takes place, making all things new, it will
result in no saving good for
yon
to discuss with Me My author-
ity or My mission."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 171.
Most everyone is eager to preserve and sustain physical
life, but how anxious am I to obtain eternal life?
"Like Israel of old, the wicked destroy themselves; they fall
by their iniquity. By a life of sin, they have placed themselves
so out of harmony with God, their natures have become so
debased with evil, that the manifestation of His glory is to them
a consuming fire."—The
Great Controversy,
page 37.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 171, 172.
99
He Gives Life
LESSON 12
❑
Thursday
March 20
Part 5
WE ACCEPT JESUS
THROUGH HIS WORD
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
1
00
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh proflteth noth-
ing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and
they are life." John 6:63.
Basically, we learn to know Jesus through the Word, the
Bible, as it is illuminated or made alive to us through the Holy
Spirit. There is indeed a personal illumination or an existential-
ist experience, but the personal illumination must be constantly
checked by the Written Word so that the personal illumination
will be in harmony with the objective or historical revelation
contained in the Bible. Only in this way can we be sure that
our personal illumination is of divine origin. Satan is today
vigilant in tearing down confidence in the Written Word and
substituting for it belief in alleged personal revelations from
God, which diverge from the teachings of the Bible.
On what occasions did Jesus manifest His confidence in
the written revelation rather than relying on a personal reve-
lation? Luke 16:31; cf. Matt. 4:4 and Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:7 and
Deut. 6:16; Matt. 4:10 and Deut. 6:13.
"The creative energy that called the worlds into existence
is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life.
Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received
into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It
transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of
God.
"The life thus imparted is in like manner sustained. 'By
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God' (Matthew
4:4) shall man
live."—Education,
page 126.
Do I esteem it as great a privilege to commune with God
and Jesus through the Bible as I would to speak to Them
face to face?
"By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we
shall be strengthened. . . . As they [God's people] feed upon
His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys
the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ
Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By
the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is
reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love
takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine
similitude. This is what it means to live `by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' This is eating the Bread
that comes down from heaven."—The
Desire'of Ages,
page 391.
Education,
pages 125-127.
He Gives Life
LESSON 12
❑
Friday
March 21
Part 6
JESUS AND
FATHER ARE ONE
THINK IT THROUGH
"I and my Father are one." John 10:30.
Many other languages, including the Greek in which this
verse was originally written, make it plain that "one" in this
verse does not denote one person, but rather one in substance,
essence, or nature. God the Father and God the Son are one
and the same in nature. Thus, as the Father has life in Himself,
so the Son has life in Himself. "In Christ is life, original, un-
borrowed, underived."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 530.
How was this oneness of Jesus with His Father reflected in
His words and deeds? John 12:49; 5:19.
Jesus spoke and acted in complete harmony with His
Father's will. In heaven they had been one "from the days of
eternity."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 19. When He came to this
earth as a man, He continued to speak and act in harmony
with His Father's will.
From Christ's infancy to His death on the cross Satan re-
peatedly tried to shatter this divine oneness. But even as a
man, Jesus was completely loyal to His Father by surrendering
His will to His Father's will moment by moment.
"From all eternity Christ was united with the Father, and
when He took upon Himself human nature, He was still one
with God. He is the link that unites God with humanity. 'For-
asmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,
he also himself likewise took part of the same' (Heb. 2:14).
Only through Him can we become Children of God. To all who
believe on Him, He gives power to become the sons of God.
Thus the heart becomes the temple of the living God. It is
because Christ took human nature that men and women be-
come partakers of the divine nature. He brings life and immor-
tality to light through the
gospel."—Selected Messages,
Bk. 1,
p. 228.
In your concept of God the Father and God the Son, are
they alike in character and attitude toward man, or do they
differ?
"As the severed branch, leafless, and apparently lifeless,
is ingrafted into the living stock, and, fiber by fiber, and vein
by vein, drinks in the life and strength of the vine until it buds
and blossoms and bears fruit, even so may the sinner, by re-
pentance and faith, connect himself with Christ, become a
partaker of the divine nature, and bring forth in words and
deeds the fruit of a holy life."—Our
High Calling,
page 145.
FURTHER STUDY
Our High Calling,
pages 144, 145.
101
LESSON 13
March
23-29
GOD IS LIKE THIS-
He Desires
People's Freedom
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John
8:36.
People often view God as a manipulator of the human will. But such manipu-
lation is a characteristic of Satan, not of God. Sometimes God may appear
as coercing people, but such appearances are not the reality. Jesus reflects
the Father in this respect as He reflects Him in other characteristics. In the
Gospels, Jesus' relationship to people can be seen to be requesting, pleading,
and teaching. He forthrightly disavowed the use of force to deliver Himself
from His persecutors. Concerning Christ's arrest, E. G. White wrote: "They
[the disciples] were disappointed and indignant as they saw the cords brought
forward to bind the hands of Him whom they loved. Peter in his anger rashly
drew his sword and tried to defend his Master; but he only cut off an ear of
the high priest's servant. When Jesus saw what was done, He released His
hands, though held firmly by the Roman soldiers, and saying, 'Suffer ye thus
far,' He touched the wounded ear, and it was instantly made whole. He then
said to Peter, 'Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the
sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to
My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?'
—a legion in place of each one of the disciples."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
696.
Jesus did not overpower the wills of men. In this week's lesson we will study
some of the instances in the life of Jesus that reveal the heavenly Father's
desire for the freedom of His children.
This freedom, we will note, is of two kinds: (1) the freedom to choose be-
tween right and wrong, and (2) the spiritual freedom that results from accept-
ance of Jesus as Lord. Both aspects of freedom are noted in this week's lesson.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Jesus Respected Judas's Freedom, John 13:27
2.
Prodigal as a Symbol of Man, Luke 15:11-13
3.
Prodigal's True Freedom With Father, Luke 15:17
4.
Jesus Came to Set Man Free, John 8:36
5.
Man Created Free, Gen. 2:16, 17
6.
Choice Between God and Mammon, Matt. 6:24
103
He Desires People's Freedom
LESSON 13
❑
Sunday
March
23
Part 1
JESUS RESPECTED
JUDAS'S FREEDOM
"And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said
Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly." John 13:27.
Jesus honored man's right to choose freely. He recognized
Judas's opportunity to follow the inducements of Satan and
betray Him into the hands of His enemies if he so chose, or
to do God's will and remain loyal to his Master. At the Last
Supper Judas finally and conclusively chose to do despite to
the Holy Spirit's pleading with him.
"John and Judas are representatives of those who profess
to be Christ's followers. Both these disciples had the same
opportunities to study and follow the divine Pattern. Both were
closely associated with Jesus and were privileged to listen to
His teaching. Each possessed serious defects of character; and
each had access to the divine grace that transforms character.
But while one in humility was learning of Jesus, the other re-
vealed that he was not a doer of the word, but a hearer only.
One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified
through the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power
of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into bond-
age to Satan."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 558.
What incident or experience confirmed Judas in his re-
jection of Jesus as his Master? Matt. 26:6-16; John 12:4-8.
The criticism of Mary's generous deed apparently began
with Judas. "Mary's act was in marked contrast with that which
Judas was about to do. What a sharp lesson Christ might have
given him who had dropped the seed of criticism and evil
thinking into the minds of the disciples! How justly the ac-
cuser might have been accused! . . . The Saviour reproached
him not....
"But the look which Jesus cast upon Judas convinced him
that the Saviour penetrated his hypocrisy, and read his base,
contemptible character. And in commending Mary's action,
which had been so severely condemned, Christ had rebuked
Judas. Prior to this, the Saviour had never given him a direct
rebuke."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 563.
In what way did Judas's decision to betray his Master
end? Matt. 27:3-5.
THINK IT THROUGH
I, too, possess freedom of choice. How do I use it when
someone slights or insults me or possibly reprimands me?
Do I choose to cherish a spirit of retaliation, or do I entertain
a spirit of forgiveness?
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pages 721, 722.
104
He Desires People's Freedom
LESSON 13
❑
Monday
March
24
Part 2
PRODIGAL AS A
SYMBOL OF MAN
Read Luke 15:11-13.
The father in this parable represents God. The prodigal
represents the sinner who walks away from God. The prodigal
wanted freedom from his father's presence and surveillance.
He also knew how to get it. He simply told his father he
wanted to leave him, and the father did not seek to keep him
by force.
How may we become sons of God? John 1:12, 13.
God wants us all as His children to abide within the house
of His will. We are called to be His sons. But the decision
whether or not we choose to live with Him and abide by His
will as His sons is ours to make.
After a while what happened to the prodigal in the
strange land? Luke 15:14-16.
"The lesson of the prodigal is given for the instruction of
youth. In his life of pleasure and sinful indulgence, he expends
his portion of the inheritance in riotous living. He is friendless,
and in a strange country; clad in rags, hungry, longing even
for the refuse fed to the swine. His last hope is to return,
penitent and humbled, to his father's house, where he is
welcomed, forgiven, and taken back to a father's heart. Many
youth are doing as he did, living a careless, pleasure-loving,
spendthrift life, forsaking the fountain of living waters, the
fountain of true pleasure, and hewing out to themselves broken
cisterns, which can hold no water."—Messages
to Young Peo-
ple,
page 408.
THINK IT THROUGH
Do I occasionally walk away from God willfully as did
the prodigal? Why?
"Christ has enjoined upon His disciples that they co-operate
with Him in His work, that they love one another as He has loved
them. The agony which He endured upon the cross testifies to
the estimate He places upon the human soul. All who accept
this great salvation pledge themselves to be co-workers with
Him. None are to consider themselves special favorites of
heaven and center their interest and attention upon self. All
who have enlisted in the service of Christ are to work as He
worked, and are to love those who are in ignorance and sin,
even as He loved
them."—Testimonies,
Vol. 5, p. 604.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Lost and Is Found," pages 198-200.
105
He Desires People's Freedom
LESSON 13
❑
Tuesday
March 25
Part 3
"And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
PRODIGAL'S
servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and
TRUE FREEDOM
I perish with hunger!" Luke 15:17.
WITH FATHER
The prodigal, while still at home, had had his every need
supplied. In the faraway country he had also lived lavishly
until his pecuniary resources were depleted. With his wealth
gone, necessity stared him in the face. He was now forced
to do some thinking, and, through his volitional response to
his father's love, his thoughts turned in the right direction—
toward his father. "He came to himself," or realized his prior
foolishness. He then exercised his willpower and chose to re-
turn to his father.
What shows that his change of heart was genuine? Luke
15:18, 19.
True repentance accepts the guilt of departure from the
right. The repentant prodigal did not say, or think, that it was
his father's fault—sternness, rigidity for the right, insufficient
time for recreation or self-enjoyment—that had forced him to
leave home. He simply said, "I have sinned."
How did the father receive his returning son? Luke 15:20,
22-24.
The prodigal found true freedom in his return to his father.
In the far country he had been but a slave, eking out a meager
living by herding swine. On his return he was instantly restored
to sonship. The father gave him a ring and put shoes on his
feet.
What is Jesus' attitude toward those who return to Him?
John 6:37; Matt. 11:28-30.
All those of us who have been in the "strange land" and
done yeoman's service for the enemy of our souls God gladly
welcomes back to His house. Jesus sets us free. He purchased
the right to do this by His death for us on the cross. See
The
Desire of Ages,
page 745.
THINK IT THROUGH
How much do I appreciate Christ's deliverance from Sa-
tan's slavery?
"We are saved because God loves the purchase of the blood
of Christ; and not only will He pardon the repentant sinner,
not only will He permit him to enter heaven, but He, the Father
of mercies, will wait at the very gates of heaven to welcome
us, to give us an abundant entrance to the mansions of the
blest."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7, p. 950.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Lost and Is Found," pages 205-207.
106
He Desires People's Freedom
LESSON 13
❑
Wednesday
March 26
Part 4
JESUS CAME TO
SET MAN FREE
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed." John 8:36.
Freedom is found only in fellowship with God through Jesus.
There is no freedom apart from God, since separated from
God there is only death. In order to be free one must be alive,
and life eternal is available to man only as he is grafted into
the vine which is Jesus.
"To obey God is not to enter into servitude to God, but to
enter into fellowship with God, and that fellowship is eternal
life. .
. Even on the human level, the more explicitly we
obey a person, the more we can enter into fellowship with
him, and the more he can tell us about himself."—William
Barclay,
Jesus as They Saw Him
(New York: Harper & Row,
1962), page 286.
"Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the
soul. 'If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed.' The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus' sets
us 'free from the law of sin and death.' Rom. 8:2.
"In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No ex-
ternal force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of
God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the
change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ,
there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is
the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free our-
selves from Satan's control; but when we desire to be set
free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out
of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued
with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the
dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God."—The
Desire
of Ages,
page 466.
According to the words of Jesus, do many avail them-
selves of the freedom He offers? Matt. 22:14.
"It is a matter of the greatest wonder to the heavenly host
that so few care to be freed from the bondage of evil influences,
so few are willing to exercise all their powers in harmony with
Christ in the great work of their deliverance."—Our
High
Call-
ing,
page 321.
THINK IT THROUGH
Have I occasionally lingered before accepting God's free-
dom from sin? Why?
"The only freedom finite will can enjoy, consists in coming
into harmony with the will of God, complying with the con-
ditions that make man a partaker of the divine nature."—Our
High Calling,
page 138.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
page 466.
107 ,
He Desires People's Freedom
LESSON 13
❑
Thursday
March 27
Part 5
MAN CREATED FREE
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
108
"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of ev-
ery tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat
of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
die." Gen. 2:16, 17.
Implicit in God's command to Adam and Eve, not to eat of
the tree of knowledge of good and evil, was their ability to
act contrary to God's desire for them if they so chose. God
created man with free moral choice.
It was God's hope that Adam and Eve and their descendants
would abide by His will for them. By successfully/overcoming
the suggestions of the tempter and remaining loyal to God
they would develop from innocence to virtue. Unfallen man
"was placed in circumstances of probation. That is to say, the
citadel of his nature was his will. It was for him to choose
whether he would abide in that relation to God which would
ensure his fullest realization of possibility, or whether he would
by severance from God encompass his own ruin. It was a
terrible and awful alternative. Yet unless it were offered to
man, the highest fact of his being would be atrophied, for will
power, having no choice, ceases to be of value."—G. Campbell
Morgan,
The Crisis of the Christ
(New York: Fleming H. Revell
Co., 1903), page 31.
Despite Adam and Eve and their descendants' wrong use
of free choice, what did God still grant to man? Deut. 30:19;
Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21.
"The will is the governing power in the nature of man, the
power of decision, or choice. Every human being possessed
of reason has power to choose the right. In every experience
of life, God's word to us is, 'Choose you this day whom ye
will serve.' Joshua 24:15. Everyone may place his will on the
side of the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by thus
linking himself with divine agencies, he may stand where
nothing can force him to do
evil."—Education,
page 289.
How do I use this divine endowment of free moral agency
—contrary to God's plan as did Adam and Eve, or in accord-
ance with His will for me?
"0 that every one might realize that he is the arbiter of his
own destiny! Your happiness for this life, and for the future,
immortal life lies with yourself."—Messages
to Young People,
page 31.
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 53.
He Desires People's Freedom
LESSON 13
❑
Friday
March 28
Part 6
CHOICE BETWEEN
GOD AND MAMMON
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate
the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Matt. 6:24.
It is impossible to serve two masters whose characters and
interests are different.
"Those who begin their Christian life by being half and
half, will at last be found enlisted on the enemy's side, what-
ever may have been their first intentions. And to be an apos-
tate, a traitor to the cause of God, is more serious than death;
for it means the loss of eternal life."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, p. 1086.
How do we show whose servants we are? Rom. 6:16; cf.
2 Peter 2:19.
"Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under
the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk
of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not
allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the
control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following
the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the
prince of darkness."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 466.
In the state of sin man is divided between two loyalties—
loyalty to God and loyalty to Satan. But no man can retain
mental and/or physical health while he is constantly drawn
in two directions. If he does not make up his mind, he finally
becomes a schizophrenic.
Some of us as youngsters were intrigued with absolute
freedom. We neither wanted to be subject to God nor to the
devil. We wanted to be a third entity as it were, but search
for such a status is in vain. Absolute freedom does not exist.
Man is either a servant of "sin unto death, or of obedience
unto righteousness." Through individual choice every moral
being places himself either on the side of Satan or on the side
of God. There is no other alternative.
THINK IT THROUGH
On whose side do I usually place myself through my per-
sonal choice—on the side of Jesus or on the side of Satan?
"To every nation and to every individual of today God has
assigned a place in His great plan. Today men and nations are
being measured by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes
no mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny."
—Education,
page 178.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pages 147, 148.
109
LESSONS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1975
Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult
Lessons for the second quarter of 1975 will be helped by the following
outline in studying
the
first two lessons. The title of the lessons is "In
the Image of God."
First lesson:
"The Image of God." Memory verse, Gen. 1:27. Outline
is as follows: (1) Man Is a Creature, Acts 17:26, 28. (2) To Glorify God,
Isa. 43:7; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. (3) The Divine Seal, Ezek. 20:12, 20. (4) Male
and Female, Gen. 1:27; 5:1. (5) To Rule the Earth, Gen. 1:26. (6) And
Subdue It, Gen. 1:28.
Second lesson:
"Jesus, the Example of God's Image." Memory verse,
Rom. 8:29. Outline is as follows: (1) The Son of God, Matt. 16:15, 16.
(2) The Word Made Flesh, John 1:1, 3, 14. (3) He Was Without Sin,
2 Cor. 5:21. (4) He Humbled Himself, Phil. 2:5-8. (5) A Life of Service,
Matt. 20:26-28. (6) Wind and Sea Obey Him, Matt. 8:26, 27.
Put This Quarter's Sabbath School
Lessons in Perspective
UNFOLDING THE
REVELATION
Roy Allan Anderson
A verse-by-verse study of The
Revelation interpreted for today.
Totally Christ centered. Concise
explanations. Clear application.
Heartwarming illustrations.
Illuminates this quarter's Sabbath
School lessons. $2.75
A HISTORY OF SDA
CHURCH-STATE RELATIONS
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Eric Syme
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meanings. Sheds up-to-date light on
interpretation pf key passages in
The Revelation. An important ref-
erence. $2.75
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T2E 1.19. When ordering by mail add 35 cents for the first copy, 10 cents for each
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What memorial of
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4
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5
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7
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Unions
Population
Church
S.S.
Churches Members Members
Burma
29,563,000
5,811
7,290
Central India
152,863,307
131
20,577
32,048
Northern
315,202,408
109
10,005
9,862
Pakistan
54,000,000
30
2,272
2,738
South India
95,206,845
197
27,413
25,997
Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
13,000,000
20
1,472
1,313
Bangladesh Section
75,000,000
17
1,407
1,710
Division Totals
734,835,560
586
68,957
80,958
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PAKISTAN UNION
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